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William Bolling, third son of Edward Bolling, was born in Bolton in 1785. A Tory who was totally opposed to parliamentary reform and factory legislation. Bolling sat for Bolton-le-Moors from 1832 to 1841. He returned to the House of Commons in 1847 and was M.P. for Bolton-le-Moors until his death in 1848.

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(1) William Bolling, speech, House of Commons (9th May, 1836)

I mistrust interference on behalf of the poor which the poor are themselves to pay for. Let the question be presented honestly and fairly. Let the parents of factory children know that the diminishing the hours of daily toil must diminish the amount of weekly pay. Certainly, there are cases of hardship and oppression, but I dislike all cases of legislative interference between master and man - between parent and child. And, moreover, all such interference would be unsuccessful. Your laws to regulate wages, and hours of labour, and conditions of contract for work - they are merely cobwebs broken through at will - because it is the interest of master and servant that they should be broken. Cultivate commerce with all the nations of the world; this will raise wages and will prevent the necessity for exhausting labour.