PROPOSED constituency boundary changes could see the town of Westbury split from the surrounding villages into different constituencies.
Proposals from the Boundary Commission for England are seeking to reduce the number of constituencies in England. Under the proposals, residents could see Westbury, Chapmanslade, and Upton Scudamore become part of a new cross-county constituency with Warminster and Shaftesbury. However, Ethandune, Dilton Marsh, Heywood, and Southwick would be part of the Trowbridge constituency, while the West Wilts Trading Estate on the outskirts of the town of Westbury would also fall in this constituency.
The Boundary Commission for England is an independent and impartial non-departmental public body, which is tasked with reducing the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 502. It also must ensure that the number of electors in each constituency falls within a set limit.
There are currently 15 constituencies in the Dorset and Wiltshire sub-region, comprising the county of Dorset and the unitary authorities of Bourne-mouth, Poole, Swindon, and Wiltshire, which are to be reduced to 14.
It is proposed that Westbury and Warminster would be combined with the Dorset town of Shaftesbury, thus creating a cross-county constituency named Warminster and Shaftesbury. These towns have been combined “due to the strong established communication links” between the towns, specifically the north-south transit route of the A350.
Andrew Murrison, MP for the current South West Wiltshire parliamentary constituency which includes Westbury said, “The plans will split the seat in three with the largest portion including Westbury, Warminster and Mere joining part of North Dorset; a new seat based on Trowbridge, Melksham and Bradford on Avon; and with Tisbury joining the Salisbury constituency.
“I support the reduction in MP numbers and equalising the number of voters in each seat which underpin these proposals and do not underestimate the challenge the Boundary Commissioner faces. However, it is important to create electoral divisions that hang together and make sense. To that end the plans do need further work and I hope voters and community groups will contribute to the consultation now under way.
“At a personal level, I feel deeply attached to my constituency as most MPs do. I certainly do not welcome the commissioner separating me from communities that I have got to know well and feel very much involved with.
“It is expected that any boundary changes will take effect in time for the next general election, anticipated in 2015. The current constituencies will remain in place until then.”
The Boundary Commission for England is consulting on the initial proposals until the 5th December. More information about the proposals, and advice on how to leave your comments, can be found online at http://consultation.boundarycomm issionforengland.independent.gov.uk
