The Boundary Review and initial responses
Earlier this week, the Boundary Commission for Wales published their initial proposals for reducing the number of MPs in Wales and Alun Cairns MP has welcomed the proposed changes that would affect the Vale of Glamorgan.
The review of all parliamentary constituencies means that the number of seats in Wales would be reduced from 40 to 30. The review aims to equalise the size of each constituency. Currently the Vale of Glamorgan has some 71,000 constituents, whereas other constituencies in Wales may only have 50,000 voters or less.
The Boundary Commission has proposed that there is a levelling in terms of numbers of voters within a constituency across the UK. The initial proposals include returning Sully to the Vale of Glamorgan constituency, as has been the case in the past. This would bring the number of voters within the Vale of Glamorgan constituency to 74,728.
Mr Cairns explained:
“Sully has traditionally been part of the Vale of Glamorgan constituency and it makes absolute sense for it to be re-included. Residents from Sully already contact me and ask for help with various issues and I do what I can within the protocol that parliament allows.
“It is important that if people in Sully and across the Vale agree with the recommendation, they should write to the Boundary Commission to advise them. This will increase the chances of these initial proposals becoming permanent. It would also protect the integrity of Barry and the wider Vale.”
The Commission are now holding a 12 week public consultation period on their proposals and have invited the public’s views.
Public hearings are being held across Wales during February and March and you can find out more by contacting the Boundary Commission for Wales in Cardiff or by emailing bcomm.wales@wales/gsi.gov.uk.