Burnham-On-Sea’s MP Tessa Munt has given her reaction to controversial proposals from the Boundary Commission to re-draw the borders of the Wells constituency in time for the general election in 2015.
The Boundary Commission’s review is part of a plan to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.
The Commission’s proposals would see the Wells constituency adding the Huntspills, Pawlett, Puriton, Woolavington, the Poldens, Shapwick, Ashcott, Westonzoyland, Middlezoy, North Petherton and the surrounding villages.
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge will stay in the constituency. However, the villages of Street and Chilcompton, and the towns of Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet, would be transferred into other constituencies.
Analysis by The Guardian newspaper this week showed that if voters do not change how they cast their votes, the Wells constituency will be won by the Conservatives, rather than Lib Dems in 2015.
However, Tessa said: “This is just the first stage in a long process. We have a 12-week consultation period on these suggestions, followed by two further sets of consultation before both Houses of Parliament have to vote on the Commissioners’ final recommendations for the constituency boundaries for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in October 2013.”
She added: “In my role, you become very attached to the towns and villages in which you work, and I love the areas I represent.”
“I have four more years during which I shall work for the people in this wonderful part of Somerset to the best of my abilities. This initial announcement makes no difference whatsoever to my work over the next few years.”
The public consultations opened on Tuesday September 13th and close on December 5th. Details on how residents can have their say can be found on the Boundary Commission’s website here.
Written submissions should be sent to: Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ or you can email: southwest@bcommengalnd.x.gsi.gov.uk
Pictured: Top, the new-look Wells constituency under the changes – click the image for a bigger version
