The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has published its revised proposals for new Parliamentary constituencies. The publication marks the start of 12 weeks of consultation, during which the Commission needs to hear from the public to help shape the proposed new constituency boundaries.
Following a decision by Parliament to reduce the number of constituencies in the UK to 600 from 650, and to ensure that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal, the BCE has been asked to make independent recommendations about where the boundaries of English constituencies should be. The BCE must report to Parliament in 2018 and, if agreed by Parliament, the new constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled General Election in 2022.
In Yorkshire and The Humber, the proposals are to reduce the number of constituencies from 54 to 50. In Thirsk and Malton it would mean that part of the Hambleton ward of Morton on Swale will pass to Richmond (Yorks) and we would gain some polling districts from the Richmond part of the Bagby& Thorntons ward and in addition the whole of the Ryedale ward of Thornton Dale would go in to Scarborough and Whitby constituency.
Feel free to have your say. It is easier than ever to get involved, by using the BCE’s website at www.bce2018.org.uk or by attending a public hearing in our area. People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies. The consultation closes on 11 December 2017. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the BCE will look at all the evidence received and make final recommendations to Parliament in September 2018.