Rothwell to become part of Wakefield in proposal to change Leeds' political map

Other areas in the Wakefield district affected in the carve up could include Ossett and Horbury. A review suggests they form part of a new Wakefield West and Denby Dale constituency.

Normanton looks likely to be separated from Pontefract and Castleford to be merged with Hemsworth. The Boundary Commission for England has submitted proposals to alter all but four of the 54 constituencies in Yorkshire and the Humber, by changing the boundary lines and renaming ten.

It is part of a review which aims to ensure each MP represents a similar number of voters. A Commission report describes Rothwell an ‘orphan ward’ and recommends it become part of the Wakefield constituency, represented by Labour’s Simon Lightwood.

The report states: “Rothwell has good historical ties and physical transport links with the City of Wakefield – better than with areas such as Wetherby, with which Rothwell ward is currently grouped in the existing Elmet and Rothwell constituency.”

The Conservatives want Rothwell ward to remain in a Leeds constituency. It is also recommended that the Morley and Outwood constituency, represented by Tory Andrea Jenkyns, be scrapped.

It is proposed Outwood comes under Wakefield, while a new Morley constituency would take in the Leeds wards of Farnley and Wortley. Commissioners recommend that Horbury, Ossett, Wakefield South and Wakefield Rural wards be grouped with Denby Dale and Kirkburton, in neighbouring Kirklees, to create the cross-border Wakefield West and Denby Dale constituency.

Mr Lightwood said: “We thank the Boundary Commission for their work. We will now review the revised proposals and engage constructively with the next phase of the consultation process.”

Elsewhere in the district, it is proposed that Normanton should be merged with Hemsworth. The change would mean Labour’s Yvette Cooper’s constituency would return to being called Pontefract and Castleford.

Labour MP Jon Trickett’s Hemsworth constituency would be renamed Normanton and Hemsworth. The report states that Mr Trickett described the addition of the Normanton ward into the Hemsworth constituency as a ‘natural addition’.

Ms Cooper described a return to the Pontefract and Castleford constituency as “historically consistent with previous boundaries and historical connections.”

The Commission’s revised proposals sees the number of constituencies in England increase from 533 to 543. Its final consultation on a new electoral map will run until December 5.

The Commission will then analyse the responses and form its final recommendations. These will be submitted to Parliament by July 2023.