SWINDON is set to remain unchanged in the political redrawing of the country – but North Wiltshire as it is currently known will vanish.
Proposals by the Boundary Commission for England confirmed South Swindon and North Swindon will not be affected by the boundary changes that will see the number of MPs reduced from 650 to 600 with an average of 75,000 voters.
But North Wiltshire seat will disappear in name and be carved up into surrounding areas. More than half of the constituency will move to be part of the new Chippenham constituency, a quarter in Devizes, along with parts of the current North Wiltshire constituency moving into a completely new seat named Trowbridge.
The Boundary Commission recommendations said: “Due to the small electorate of the existing North Wiltshire constituency, we propose some change to the boundary. We propose that it extends south to incorporate the relatively large number of electors within Chippenham, rather than including the town of Calne as at present.
“Consequently, we propose that the constituency be named Chippenham.”
North Wiltshire MP James Gray believes the new seat boundaries for a Chippenham constituency should remain North Wiltshire.
He said: “The boundaries of the new Chippenham seat are very similar to what they were for many years – I get Chippenham and Corsham back. I represented those two towns until 2005 and would be glad to see them coming back.
“I am losing a couple of bits and feel sorry for the people there, Box to Trowbridge and everything from Lyneham south is going into Devizes.
“It does not change the political complexion, the only thing I am not happy about is the name which has always been North Wiltshire and parts of the new seats will be 30 miles form Chippenham. I shall be arguing strongly for the Chippenham seat to be left as North Wiltshire.”
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “I am pleased to see no changes to the Swindon constituencies which reflect the primary aim that seats are around 75,000 voters and wherever possible do not cross council boundaries.
“As it stands, Robert Buckland and I are completely contained in Swindon Borough Council.”
A 12-week consultation will now begin but once the final proposals are passed it will be a fight for seats as MPs apply to be candidates for the new boundaries.
The 50 seats being lost are: seven from the North West, two from the East, two from East Midlands, five in London, three in the North East, one from the South East, two from the South West, five from West Midlands, and four from Yorkshire and the Humber. In addition Wales loses 10, Scotland seven and Northern Ireland two.
Big hitters whose seats are under threat include Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne and Shadow Home Secretary Ed Balls.
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