Deadline Looms On Proposed Boundary Changes
Proposal to absorb part of the Wimbledon Parliamentary constituency into Putney
Changes proposed in red - blue represent existing boundary
The deadline for submissions, as well as responses to any counter proposals which have been submitted is March 27. The proposed parliamentary shake up to absorb part of the Wimbledon Parliamentary constituency received more than 100 comments during the first nationwide consultation.
The planned shake-up of MPs' constituencies is to reduce the number of UK seats from 650 to 600 - by law, every constituency must contain between 71,031 and 78,507 electors.As part of the consultation process, the Boundary Commission for England accepted comments for 12 weeks at the end of last year. Now it has published all 18,753 comments received from across the country the website reveals 137 comments for Putney.
To find out more about the current proposals and to submit comments visit www.bce2018.org.uk.
It appears that the majority from Putney residents are positive to the proposal to absorb the northern part of Wimbledon - some examples are below:
'Wimbledon and Putney Commons and Putney Heath are part of our community and should be united at the heart of the constituency. Most of the Commons levy payers would then live within the proposed constituency which makes sense. Southfields and Wimbledon Park were originally built as one community and should be united in one constituency.'
'I support the proposal of the Boundary Commission to create the new constituency of Wimbledon Common and Putney.
This would contain the existing Putney constituency and incorporate most of Wimbledon Common. I think the constituency should be known as Putney and Wimbledon Common because Putney has a stronger historical and geographical identity. Wimbledon Common does not have the same density or number of voters.'
I support the proposal for a new Wimbledon Common and Putney constituency, as the commons (Wimbledon and Putney Commons, and Putney Heath) are very much part of our community which many of us visit frequently. They should be united at the heart of the new constituency.'
Many responses reject any call to split Putney in half in an east/west format:
'Putney is a place of historical significance (the home of the Putney Debates of 1647) and sporting significance (i.e. the University Boat Race) which draws local people from all over Putney and beyond. I strongly support the concept of a parliamentary constituency with Putney and Roehampton at its heart and consider that the local community has a coherent and distinctive identity, which should continue to be recognised. As a long term resident, I strongly reject any suggestion that parts of Putney should merge into a new Wimbledon or Battersea/Wandsworth constituency. Putney would be the poorer for it. We have our own identity and it should remain so.'
Sam Hartley, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: "Public input is invaluable throughout the 2018 Boundary Review. Comments made during both consultations will help us develop a well-rounded picture of how local communities live and work together across the country. This local knowledge will be essential when we revise our proposals. Any changes will be based on your comments so it’s important to have your say."
Following the second consultation, the BCE’s assistant commissioners will look through all comments received during both consultations, considering all the evidence submitted. They will then advise the Commission on where they think the proposals should be revised.
Revised proposals will be published as part of a final consultation in late 2017/early 2018 and any further changes made based on comments received. BCE must report to Parliament with its final recommendation in September 2018. If agreed by Parliament, the new constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled General Election in 2020.
March 16, 2017