It covers most of the western part of the borough, including Chadderton and Royton but not Failsworth which was in the Ashton-under-Lyne constituency until 2024, and then Manchester Central thereafter.

[3] In July 2006, fourteen representations were received by the Boundary Commission for England, which called for the inclusion of Chadderton in the name of the Oldham West and Royton parliamentary constituency.

The commission rejected the proposed alternative name (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) because it was too long and they did not believe that there was a significant amount of support for a name change.

[citation needed] Because of the heightened tension, the Returning officer took the decision not to allow any candidates to make speeches after the declaration of the results.

Meacher's death in October 2015 triggered a by-election, the first of the new Parliament, which was held on 3 December 2015 and was won by Jim McMahon of the Labour Party.