Boundary change for voting is scrapped (From Ledbury Reporter)

Boundary change for voting is scrapped

11:15am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Ledbury

CONTROVERSIAL proposals which would have seen people living in Malvern Wells voting for Evesham’s MP have been scrapped, it has emerged.

The Boundary Commission, which has been tasked with cutting the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in 2015 and evening out constituency sizes, will no longer pursue the idea.

The commission is proposing the West Worcestershire seat (currently held by Harriett Baldwin) be renamed Malvern and Ledbury, and the Mid-Worcestershire one (Peter Luff) renamed Evesham.

Under the previous proposals Malvern Wells would have been included in the Evesham seat to take its population to 77,000 people, which is in line with other constituency sizes across the country.

But the commission has now confirmed Malvern Wells will remain part of the newly renamed Malvern and Ledbury constituency.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I am pleased that the new Malvern and Ledbury seat will include Malvern Wells, which had been excluded in the last proposals.

“I am grateful that local people took the trouble to participate in the review and I think that this set of proposals makes more sense.”

The Worcester seat, which is held by Robin Walker, will remain as it is under the proposals.

Mr Walker said: “It doesn’t affect Worcester but generally, the changes to the Malvern and Evesham seats being proposed is a lot more sensible.”

A fresh consultation on the revisions has now launched, and will last until December 10. To get involved log on to consultation.boundary commissionforengland.independent.gov.uk.

Back in the summer deputy prime minister Nick Clegg instructed his Liberal Democrat MPs to vote against any boundary commission changes should it reach Parliament.

That means it is highly unlikely the proposals will come before MPs at least until 2015.