Although the review was carried out only 5 years after the major overhaul of constituency boundaries enacted by the Representation of the People Act 1948 (taking effect for the 1950 general election), there were a number of significant changes, with the total number of seats increasing from 625 to 630. There were 36 new constituencies created and 31 abolished, resulting in a net increase of 5 constituencies which were all in England (506 to 511), with the number of constituencies in Wales (36), Scotland (71) and Northern Ireland (12) remaining the same.
There were changes to a further 137 constituencies involving the transfer of local authorities or wards/parishes therein. There were also minor changes to 42 constituencies which involved bringing the constituency boundaries in line with local authority boundaries which had been altered. The bulk of the changes affected the large cities outside London (Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield). There were only a few marginal changes in Wales and no changes in Northern Ireland.
During the period 1951 to 1953, 29 Statutory Instruments, affecting 66 constituencies, had been passed under the provisions of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949 to bring boundaries in line with those of local authorities.[2]
There was a considerable delay before the Second Periodic Review was completed and approved by Parliament and this did not come into effect until the February 1974 general election. The boundaries and constituencies introduced by the First Review were therefore in use for the general elections of 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966 and 1970.
List of constituencies created, abolished or altered
The boundaries of the six constituencies in Bristol were redrawn following a redistribution of wards in Bristol CB. Bristol South East lost parts to Bristol South BC (Hengrove ward), which in turn lost parts to Bristol Central BC (Windmill Hill ward); and Bristol North West BC lost parts to Bristol West BC (Durdham ward).
The parts of Romsey and Stockbridge RD in Basingstoke CC were transferred to Winchester.
Changes to the boundaries of the two Southampton seats due to a redistribution of wards in the Southampton CB, including the transfer of Portswood ward from Southampton, Itchen BC to Southampton, Test BC.
Barons Court BC formed, comprising southern parts of the abolished seat of Hammersmith South BC (Broadway, Brook Green, Grove and Ravenscourt wards) and northern parts of the abolished seats of Fulham East BC (Barons Court and Lillie wards) and Fulham West BC (Margravine ward).
Fulham BC re-established, comprising the remaining parts of the abolished seats of Fulham East (Sands End and Walham wards) and Fulham West (Hurlingham, Munster and Town wards).
Hammersmith North BC gained the Addison, Olympia, and St Stephen's wards from the abolished seat of Hammersmith South.
Nottingham East BC abolished. Byron and Mapperley wards included in the new constituency of Nottingham North. Manvers ward transferred to Nottingham South and St Ann's ward back to Nottingham Central BC.
Nottingham North West BC abolished. Broxtowe and Wollaton wards included in the new constituency of Nottingham West BC; St Albans ward in the new constituency of Nottingham North.
Castle ward transferred from Nottingham South to the new seat of Nottingham West.
Birmingham, King's Norton BC abolished, with its three wards (Brandwood, King's Norton, and Moseley and King's Heath) being distributed to three different constituencies.
Leeds East BC re-established. Formed from the majority of the existing seat of Leeds South East (Cross Gates, Halton and Osmondthorpe wards), together with parts of Leeds North East BC (Burmantofts and Harehills wards).
Leeds North BC abolished. Most of the constituency was included in the revised seat of Leeds North East, with Moortown ward transferred to Leeds North West BC.
Leeds North East substantially revised, retaining only the Potternewton ward, now combined with the wards which had formed the majority of the abolished constituency of Leeds North. Burmantofts and Harehills wards included in Leeds East and Richmond Hill ward included in the revised constituency of Leeds South East.
Leeds North East substantially revised, retaining only the East Hunslet ward, now combined with Richmond Hill ward, transferred from Leeds North East, and wards which had formed the majority of the abolished constituency of Leeds Central. Cross Gates, Halton and Osmondthorpe wards included in the new constituency of Leeds East.
Glasgow, Craigton BC formed, comprising southern parts of Glasgow, Govan (Craigton ward and part of the Fairfield ward) and part of the Pollokshields ward previously in Glasgow, Pollok BC.
As a consequence of the above changes to Glasgow, Govan, this constituency was completely redrawn, with only part of the Fairfield ward and the part of the Govan ward retained.
^Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN0900178094. OCLC539011.
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