Parliamentary Boundary Review

The Electoral Commission is undertaking a complete review of parliamentary boundaries to reduce the number of constituencies from 650 to 600 and to equalise the number of electors as far as possible in those constituencies.   Their proposals on the Review for England can be found at www.independent.gov.uk/boundarycommissionforengland

It is our view that the proposed changes are good for democracy, good for the voters of Hitchin and Harpenden and our neighbouring constituencies.   They retain the integrity of the existing constituency and link communities of a similar nature and we would urge local residents to support the review.   This can be done at: http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/have-your-say/   There is a campaign set up by a group in Bedfordshire in support of an alternative division which would require detrimental changes to the Hertfordshire constituencies.   This means it is even more important that those who support the Electoral Commission's proposals register their views.

The new Hitchin and Harpenden constituency will comprise the Wards of Langford and Henlow Village, Shefford, Silsoe and Shillington from Central Bedfordshire, Cadwell, Hitchin Bearton, Hitchin Highbury, Hitchin Oughton, Hitchin Priory, Hitchin Walsworth, Hitchwood Offa and Hoo, and Kimpton from North Hertfordshire District and Harpenden East, Harpenden North, Harpenden South, Harpenden West and Wheathampstead from the City & District of St. Albans.   Based on the electoral register in force at present, the electorate will be 79,864 and although covering a larger area, it does link communities of a similar character.  

We will of course be very sorry to lose the Wards of Redbourn and Sandridge to St. Albans and Chesfield to Stevenage but they will be assets to their new constituencies.  

We look forward to the challenges presented by the new boundaries.