[dropcap type=”circle”]C[/dropcap]hanges proposed by the Boundary Commission for England could create a new constituency called Bebington and Heswall.
The proposals are designed to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600, and would merge the constituencies of Wirral South and Wirral West.
This would mean that Wirral has one less MP in the House of Commons. The two sitting MPs are Labour’s Alison McGovern and Margaret Greenwood.
The existing Wallasey and Birkenhead constituencies would increase in size – Upton ward would move into Wallasey and Bebington ward could join Birkenhead.
Other changes would see Eastham moved into the Cheshire seat of Ellesmere Port and Neston.
The BCE study says: “We did investigate other configurations of constituencies that did not result in the Bebington ward being included in the Birkenhead constituency, but considered that the alternatives did not better reflect the statutory factors. We suggest the other constituency covering the Wirral be named Bebington and Heswall. Although it does not include the entirety of Bebington town, we consider this name reflects the composition of the constituency. We welcome feedback on whether an alternative name would be more appropriate.”
Following today’s publication of the BCE review a 12 week period of consultation now gets underway. Nationwide the redrawing of the electoral map involves altering the constituencies of more than 500 MPs.
The BCE explains the thinking behind the changes like this:
The number of constituencies in the North West must reduce from 75 to 68.
By law, every constituency they propose must contain between 71,031 and 78,507 electors.
They largely use local government wards as the building blocks for proposed constituencies.
They try to retain existing constituencies where possible.
They try to take account of geographic factors
During the consultation the BCE will be visiting the North West and holding public hearings in Chester (13-14 October) and Liverpool (20-21 October).
If you want to find out more from the Boundary Commission for England website click or tap here.
';
