The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has today (8th June) published its initial proposals for new constituency boundaries across the UK.
The Isle of Wight is one of two areas in the UK that is protected – the other is Anglesey. This means the two new Isle of Wight constituencies (named West Isle of Wight 54,712 voters in 19 wards and East Isle of Wight 57,004 voters in 20 wards) proposed by the Boundary Commission do not need to conform to the law that states constituencies must contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors.
Your voice counts
Members of the public will now be able to view and provide feedback on the proposed constituencies, as part of an eight-week consultation process.
The Boundary Commission say that 58 per cent of proposals were amended after feedback from the public during the last consultation.
Third review in less than ten years
This is the third Review that the UK has seen in recent years, with the costs predicted to be around £2.5m.
The 2013 Review was abandoned following changes in the legislation. The 2018 Review was not implemented after an Act of Parliament was passed to retain 650 constituencies – the cost of that Review was £5m.
2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies
The 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies was formally launched in January this year.
The Commission is required to ensure that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal; in doing so, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.
Following this eight-week consultation, a secondary one will take place in early Spring 2022, with revised proposals ready by Autumn 2022.
The final recommendations will be presented to Parliament by 1st July 2023.
Under the proposals announced today, just under ten per cent of the existing 533 English constituencies remain unchanged.
Have your say
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Boundary Commission Website to view the maps showing the proposed new boundaries and provide feedback before the consultation closes on 2nd August 2021.
People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies. There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2022.
Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will look at all the evidence received and form its final recommendations.
Bowden: Help us draw the line
Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said,
“Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts. Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each Parliamentary constituency more equal.
“Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries. We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right.
“We consider all feedback received during the consultation process, and it is your local knowledge that helps us to shape constituencies that best reflect your local area. It is easy to get involved – view our proposals and have your say on our online consultation portal.”
Article edit
8.10am 8th Jun 2021 – Number of voters and wards added for each constituency
