Photo: John Pugh MP
Boundary Commission Parliamentary proposals – Lib Dems delighted
Liberal Democrats in Southport and Formby are delighted at the new Parliamentary constituency boundary proposals released today by the English Boundary Commission.
The proposals match almost exactly what the Lib Dems have put forward consistently as being the best way forward if Southport is forced to expand beyond the town’s boundaries, through government policy to reduce the number of MPs.
Southport Lib Dem Vice Chair, Councillor Tony Dawson, attended all the Boundary Commission public consultations during the last boundary review and drafted the initial proposal to include Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and Banks with Southport. Together with colleagues, he also collected petition signatures to avoid Formby being split in two.
Councillor Dawson said:
“Of course, we would have preferred to retain the historic Southport constituency as it is – but the government has made plain that will not happen.”
“The villages to the North East of Southport have strong links with the townt – for years they have received Southport’s free local papers reflecting shopping and work patterns. Their residents frequently use Southport web-sites. They had no real connection with Leyland – the main town in the South Ribble constituency they have been in till now – and people even have to drive through Chorley constituency to get from Tarleton to other parts of South Ribble.”
John Pugh MP says he welcomes the proposals which “recognise and re-assert” Southport’s historic links with Lancashire and reflect the unique geography of the area. He says:
“The new title for the constituency ‘Southport County’ emphasises our pivotal position as a bridge between the Mersey and Ribble area which cannot be overlooked. Too often we are seen by some as just an appendage of Merseyside”
“Personally, I would be very pleased to see the changes go through as I think it ensures that this part of Lancashire can unite, fight its corner and flourish. I argued for similar proposals in the last review and against the silly splitting and tacking on of Formby.
” I am confident that by rekindling the roots of liberalism in Banks, Hesketh Bank and Tarleton the Liberal Democrats can hold this seat in 2020. It makes sense to me as there are so many common issues binding us together and I hope it will sense to all communities in the area.”
Another part of the proposals unites nearly all of Crosby in the Sefton Central constituency. The proposed new Bootle Constituency will now include parts of North Liverpool. This makes sense as there is no natural boundary between parts of Bootle and Walton: the only thing which tells you you are officially in one Borough rather than another on some roads is the colour of the bins.
By law, the number of constituencies in the North West must reduce from 75 to 68 and every new constituency proposed must contain between 71,031 and 78,507 electors. The Boundary Commission will hold five public consultation hearings on their proposals
Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321
Email ots@otsnews.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/Otsnews-Southport-1575528676012039/
Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_news
Breaking local news as it happens, searchable archives with photographs, the ability to instantly comment on news articles – there are so many advantages to OTS (Onthespot) News.
If you want your news read locally online then send it to ots@otsnews.co.uk – relying only on the newspaper is to restrict yourself to an ever reducing audience.
OTS News on Social Media