Newbury MP's seat split moves forward

Splitting Laura Farris’s Newbury Parliamentary constituency in two moved a step closer today (Tuesday).

But her suggestions to keep the West Berkshire horse racing sector in one patch appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

Parliamentary seats are to be carved up, meaning people in West Berkshire could find themselves voting in a new constituency if proposals are approved – either Newbury or the new Mid Berkshire.

In her submission to the Boundary Commission, Mrs Farris said: “We are proposing a new split of the Ridgeway ward which will occur just to the east of the A34.

“The split that we are proposing maintains the overall integrity of the racing industry across the Berkshire Downs, including all the areas of gallops from Lambourn to West Ilsley. ”

But the new map ignores this.

The Boundary Commission has now publicised the final chance for the public to have their say and has published new revised proposals for constituencies across the country.

The commission says it has taken into consideration more than 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation, and has changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback.

A third and final consultation on the new map of revised constituency proposals is open now until December 5.

The commission is undertaking an independent review of all constituencies in England as requested by Parliament.

The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors each MP represents, resulting in significant change to the existing constituency map.

As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.

Newbury and Mid Berkshire are amongst them.

Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “Today’s publication is the culmination of months of analysis and we have revised nearly half of our initial proposals based on what people have told us.

“We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.

“However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to Parliament next year.

“This is our final consultation and I encourage you to participate in the 2023 Boundary Review.”