Boundary Commission for England launches public consultation on proposed constituencies

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) invites comments during its secondary public consultation on constituency boundaries, which is open now until 4 April 2022.

The commission is undertaking an independent and impartial review of all constituencies in England, to make the number of electors in each constituency roughly the same.

Last year, the Boundary Commission published proposals to change the boundaries of the two local constituencies – Rochdale and Heywood & Middleton – in order to facilitate an increase in the number of parliamentary constituencies from 533 to 543.
 

Read more: Middleton’s name could be ‘wiped off the parliamentary map’ under new boundary proposalsPublished: 08 June 2021

The 2023 Boundary Review requires substantial changes to the map of constituencies across England, and the Commission wants members of the public to help shape the boundaries in their area by taking part in a consultation, running 22 February – 4 April.

Responses can be submitted online, by letter, by email or provided in person at a public hearing. The commission will hold 32 public hearings across the country throughout the consultation period, allowing members of the public to have their say in person about the proposed changes in their area.

A video of each hearing will be available to watch on the Boundary Commission for England’s YouTube channel shortly after it has taken place.

The commission received over 34,000 responses from the public during its first consultation last year. These comments are now available to view by area, along with the initial proposals for constituencies, on the consultation website.

Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, Tim Bowden, said: “The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors represented by each MP.

“It’s important that the constituencies we shape reflect your local community as best as possible. We received over 34,000 responses during our first consultation last year which are available online for the public to read and comment on.

“We’re inviting more people to have their say in our current secondary consultation, which is open now until 4 April.

“Help us to get our proposals right for your area by telling us your views via bcereviews.org.uk, or at a public hearing in your region.

“We’re looking forward to hearing your feedback, and we take every response into account during our review of constituency boundaries.”

View the initially proposed constituency boundaries for your area and provide views on them by visiting the consultation website bcereviews.org.uk.

Book a 10-minute slot to speak at a hearing in your region on the Boundary Commission website.