I'm sad and disappointed that the independent Boundary Commission is proposing to divide the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency into three. But I support the aim of reducing the overall number of MPs and making all constituencies the same size, so that all votes carry equal weight.
I spoke about the changes at a public hearing - you can read what I said here or by clicking on the attachment below - and I urge you to have your say too. A consultation is currently underway and you can make a submission by clicking here or by writing to:
Boundary Commission for England
35 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BQ.
The deadline is 5th December.
Views of public count for more than views of politicians - so do please write in and say what you support as well as what you object to.
Under the proposed new boundaries, Faversham and Canterbury will be part of the same constituency. There are strong connections between them and good transport links, so this is probably right for the town. It's good to see Faversham in the constituency name too.
Bearsted, Detling and Thurnham, Boxley, Shepway North, Shepway South and Downswood and Otham join a Maidstone constituency covering most of the town. This makes sense but several nearby wards are left out.
Leeds and North Downs are moved into a Tonbridge and the Weald constituency, which seems very strange. They are a long way from Tonbridge and have far stronger ties to Maidstone.
There are similar issues with the inclusion of Parkwood, Lenham and Harrietsham in a Tonbridge constituency. My experience is that – for the most part – Parkwood residents feel they are part of Maidstone and many need the support services of the town.
I know some people in Headcorn and Ulcombe are unhappy about becoming part of a Tonbridge constituency as well. However, there are some links – the train line for instance – and there are characteristics in common with places like Staplehurst and Yalding which are also in that constituency. When it comes down to it, the boundary does have to be drawn somewhere.