The Boundary Commission for England has published its initial proposals for new parliamentary constituency boundaries. The proposals increase the overall number of constituencies in England from 533 to 543 and aim to make them more equal in terms of the numbers of electors each constituency contains.
In the 3VA area, some of the proposed changes include:
- Eastbourne constituency would become known as the Eastbourne Borough Constituency and have some existing areas removed from the current make-up of the constituency including Jevington, Wannock and part of Willingdon. Source
- Crowborough is currently in the Wealden constituency created in 1983 (made up of the towns of Crowborough, Uckfield, Hailsham and surrounding villages). The boundary of the Wealden parliamentary constituency differs from the boundary for the District Council (for example, Heathfield is in Wealden District but is part of the Bexhill & Battle parliamentary constituency). If the proposals go ahead this time, a new constituency called “Hailsham & Crowborough” would be formed (which includes Heathfield) with an electorate of 70,015. Under the changes, Uckfield would be paired with East Grinstead. Source
- Lewes constituency would become known as the Lewes County Constituency and have new areas added such as Jevington, Wannock, part of Willingdon, Stone Cross and Hankham and existing ones removed from the current make-up of the constituency including Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey, Ditchling & Westmeston, Newick, Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington & St John, and Wivelsfield. Source
For more information about the proposals, please read this Eastbourne Herald article.
An eight-week consultation period is underway allowing residents to share their views on the plans. Go online at www.bcereviews.org.uk to view and comment on the proposals. Don’t miss out – contribute your local knowledge and have your say on what the new constituencies should be by 2 August 2021.