Consultation on revised proposals goes live
The Boundary Commission for England today launches an eight week consultation on its revised proposals for new Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England. This consultation is the last chance for people to have their say before the Commission prepares its final report.
The Commission has revised its initial proposals, which were published in September 2011, following a very successful consultation process where the Commission received nearly 50,000 responses with people’s views. All the comments received have been considered and have contributed towards the reports and maps that are published today. People now have the opportunity to comment on the revised proposals before the final proposals are put to the Government next year.
The review of constituency boundaries is being carried out by the independent Boundary Commission after Parliament decided that there should be a reduction in the number of constituencies across the UK, and that there should be similar numbers of electors in each constituency. The number of constituencies in England is being reduced from 533 to 502. Every constituency must have an electorate (as at the review date) that is no less than 95% and no more than 105% of the UK electoral quota of 76,641 electors.
The Commission has published a set of regional reports and maps, which are available on its website and in a number of local authority offices and libraries around the country. Details of the Commission’s consultation process are also available on its website and everyone is encouraged to look at the proposals and send in their views on them. Simon James, Secretary to the Commission, says the Commission is open to feedback. He continues, “We were really encouraged by the response to the consultation on our initial proposal. Now that we have published our revised proposals we continue to welcome people’s participation until the consultation closes on 10 December 2012.”
People can contribute to the consultation via the Commission’s website or by letter or email. The Commission website (www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk) provides full information about the review and sets out how people can get involved
