Boundary changes proposed for North East Cambs constituency and county could get an extra MP too
North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay looks set to lose thousands of constituents if plans to redraw the parliamentary boundary gets the green-light.
Publication of proposed changes to constituencies across the country were unveiled yesterday (Tuesday) and marks the start of the first of three rounds of public consultation.
The Boundary Commission which has come up with the proposals will present its final recommendations to Parliament in July 2023.
Whilst the number of constituencies across the UK will remain unchanged at 650, the Boundary Commission says changes are needed to ensure each MP has roughly the same number of constituents - somewhere between 69,724 and 77,062 each.
The Eastern Region has been allocated 61 constituencies, an increase of three on the current number. Fifty eight of those will remain unchanged, while 10 will remain unchanged except for a realignment of the constituency boundary with new or prospective local government ward boundaries.
Cambridgeshire is set to get one of the three new constituencies meaning the number of MPs for the county will rise from seven to eight with the creation of the St Neots constituency in the west of the county.
The Boundary Commission said it has been possible to propose a pattern of constituencies that are wholly within the Cambridgeshire county boundary.
The names of all but one of the existing seven Cambridgeshire constituencies would remain the same, but their boundaries would change as a result.
Proposed changes to the North East Cambs boundary would see Mepal, Littleport. Witcham, Sutton, Pymoor, Little Downham and Coveney all move over the border into East Cambs.
There will be no changes around the North East Cambs boundary with South Holland and the Deepings with the line remaining unchanged.
South East Cambridgeshire would become East Cambridgeshire, as part of a boundary change that would see its southern tip passed to South Cambridgeshire.
The South Cambridgeshire constituency would retain its name, but would not extend as far north in the west of the county and would spread east in the south of the county.
Meanwhile in the part of Norfolk that adjoins Fenland While West Walton, Walpole Highway and Walton Highway, will move from South West Norfolk into North West Norfolk.
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
"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 - www.bcereview."
