Controversial Parliamentary boundary shake-up results published

The body in charge of a controversial shake-up of Parliamentary constituencies in Halifax and the Calder Valley will publish results from its first round of public consultations today.
Craig Whittaker MPCraig Whittaker MP
Craig Whittaker MP

Under provisional plans released last year, almost every constituency in the wider Yorkshire region will have its boundaries re-drawn ahead of the next general election in a bid to equalise voter numbers and cut the total number of MPs from 650 to 600.

The Calder Valley and Halifax constituencies will undergo a major reshuffle in proposals being put forward by the Commission.

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Brighouse, Rastrick, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe and Elland will now come under the Halifax constituency along with Royds from the City of Bradford. The Halifax constituency will also be made up of Northowram and Shelf, Ovenden, Park and Town wards. The new look Calder Valley constituency will consist of the wards Calder, Greetland and Stainland, Illingworth and Mixenden, Ludendenfoot, Ryburn, Skircoat, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden and Warley.

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has now completed a 12-week consultation on the proposals, and reports that plans to move some South Bradford wards to neighbouring seats have proven to be among the most controversial suggestions.

This feedback can be viewed online and will be used to revise the Commission’s proposals ahead of a final consultation either at the end of this year or the beginning of 2018.

BCE secretary Sam Hartley said: “Public input is invaluable throughout the 2018 Boundary Review. Comments made during both consultations will help us develop a well-rounded picture of how local communities live and work together across the country.

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“This local knowledge will be essential when we revise our proposals. Any changes will be based on your comments so it’s important to have your say.”

If the existing proposals are upheld, the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency currently held by Labour’s Angela Smith would be abolished, with two of the wards joining a new Sheffield Hallam and Stocksbridge constituency.

The results of the first consultation can be found on the Commission’s consultation portal here