Parliamentary redistribution – update

Richard Wassell — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:01:38 +0000

Kent Liberal Democrats have submitted to the Boundary Commission proposals which we believe will minimise the disruption to traditional community links and lines of communication.

For West Kent we propose keeping more closely to the three main centres – Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells – as the basis for constituencies, as at present.

For Sevenoaks this would be achieved – within the given electoral numbers - by Ash/New Ash Green being transferred to Dartford, whilst Edenbridge and other part of Sevenoaks District currently attached to Tonbridge constitueuncy would be reunited with Sevenoaks. We recommend this as a much more coherent constituency than we have at present.

Parliamentary redistribution – in our area

Richard Wassell — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:30:28 +0000

In the proposed parliamentary boundary changes recently announced, Sevenoaks remains as a constituency but somewhat changes shape.

Sevenoaks would lose the following wards:

Farningham, Horton Kirby & South Darenth – transferred to Dartford;

Hartley & Hodsoll Street – transferred to Gravesend;

Westerham & Crockham Hill – transferred to Tunbridge Wells.

On the other hand, the following wards would be transferred to Sevenoaks from Tonbridge & Malling:

Borough Green & Long Mill;

Downs;

Ightham;

Wrotham.

The result would be a somewhat more compact constituency – with a centre of gravity pushed slightly eastwards.

A glaring anomaly, however, is the attachment of Westerham & Crockham Hill to Tunbridge Wells. This makes no sense in terms of the geographical shape and coherence of the proposed Tunbridge Wells constituency – and no sense in terms of the lack of connection between the two areas. It would also cause further confusion as of course there would be no change to district council or KCC division boundaries.

There is a very limited period for appeal – but it might be possible to avert this nonsense. Re-attaching Westerham & Crockham Hill to Sevenoaks would not infringe the new rules as to the maximum population for each constituency. It would have a knock-on effect for Tunbridge Wells and other constituencies – but we have worked out a formula which would resolve that. Watch this space.

RCW

Sevenoaks Liberal Democrats

Parliamentary redistribution – update

Parliamentary redistribution – in our area