Postponed - Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Review

As a result of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 receiving Royal Assent on 31 January 2013, the date of the next Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Review has been postponed until 2018.  Consequently, the Boundary Commission for England has ceased working on the 2013 Review and will not be reporting to the Secretary of State in Autumn 2013.

The Boundary Commission for England’s website has a number of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about the early closure of the 2013 Review.

Following the review of the draft proposals, which included dramatic changes to the Constituencies within Cumbria, the Revised Proposals have now been published.

The publication of the Revised Proposals starts the next consultation period which runs until 10 December – make sure you make your views known before then.

Background

The number of MPs in Cumbria is reducing from 6 to 5, with each MP required to look after approximately 76,000 electors.  Therefore the parliamentary boundaries within the County will have to change to reflect this.

Proposals

The initial proposals were published on 13 September, with the period of public consultation ending on 5 December 2011.  These initial proposals included dramatic changes to Constituencies within Cumbria and generated many comments as they were not seen as reflecting the area’s geography or communities.  The Revised Proposals were published on 16 October 2012 at the start of the second consultation period and these were seen to be acceptable as they had taken account of the comments made and appeared to be close to the changes envisaged by all involved in this area.

The Boundary Commission website has more information on these Reviews.