Ruth Cadbury Describes New Constituency Boundaries as 'Undemocratic'

Boundary Commission confirm borders of new Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick seat

Boundary Commission's proposed Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick seat

The Boundary Commission have confirmed on Monday (10 September) their plan to proceed with earlier recommendations for a new Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick constituency. The new seat will unite all the parts of Chiswick under one MP but divide the constituency between two boroughs.

The proposed constituency combines seven wards from the Brentford and Isleworth constituency with the Northfield ward from the Ealing, Southall constituency, and the Southfield ward from the Ealing Central and Acton constituency. Three Hounslow wards (Heath, Central and South) will be moved to a new constituency.

There was substantial support among those who responded to the consultation for the idea of uniting the whole of Chiswick under one MP.

However, they have met with disapproval from the sitting MP for Brentford and Isleworth. Ruth Cadbury said, “These proposals are undemocratic boundary-fixing by a Tory government determined to secure a permanent majority in the House of Commons. They want to cut the number of MPs but are happy to stuff the House of Lords with yet more of their unelected friends. Now with the workload of MPs set to rise with Brexit it would be utterly ludicrous to go ahead with these boundary changes.

“Furthermore my constituency will be spread across two boroughs which will slow down the process of helping my constituents, with double the number of key Council departments and other organisations meaning more communication lines, referral systems and various new authorities to navigate.”

Ruth Cadbury MP

Secretary to the commission, Sam Hartley, said, "We're confident that the new map of constituencies best reflects the rules set for us by Parliament and we're especially pleased that our recommendations are based heavily on what members of the public have told us about their local areas.

"It is now up to the government to present our report to Parliament, and we look forward to being able to publish our recommendations once that has happened."

The rules set out in the legislation on boundary changes state that there will be 600 Parliamentary constituencies covering the UK – a reduction of 50 from the current number. This means that the number of constituencies in England must be reduced from 533 to 501. The reduction was the idea of David Cameron's government and a cost-cutting measure in response to the expenses scandal.

Each constituency has to have an electorate that is no smaller than 71,031 and no larger than 78,507. There will be 32 fewer seats in England, six fewer in Scotland and eleven fewer in Wales with Northern Ireland losing one.

The constituencies do not take effect until the next general election after the legislation has been voted on and comes into force currently due to be 5 May 2022. If an early election is called, the constituency boundaries to be used will depend on whether the Order in Council (legislation) has been made and come into force.

September 11, 2018