Last week saw the first draft of proposals published by the Independent Boundary Commissions review into the size of Parliamentary Constituencies – the geographic area represented by each MP. The ultimate aim is to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, as well as make sure that each constituency in the country has an even number of electors.
This is designed to increase fairness so that every single voter is equally represented. Currently the status quo means that an electorate of 54,232 in Wirral West are given equal representation to the 76,254 residents in North Swindon. Even more extreme are those MPs who represent almost 90,000 people whilst there are others who speak for just 37,000. Therefore this review will ensure that our democracy is far more equal. Not to mention that it is set to save over £60 million by 2020.
In Swindon there is no major or surprising change. Under the proposals, the Mannington and Western ward (specifically part of Rodbourne, Westlea and Bridgemead) would move entirely into South Swindon, Robert Buckland MP’s constituency. Similarly the whole of the Covingham and Dorcan ward (Faraday Park, Liden Drive and Edison Road) would become part of my constituency North Swindon.
The small changes are largely down to the expansion in the Northern sector of Swindon which has seen a few thousand more residents come into my constituency. Consequently this needed to be evened up with Robert’s constituency. The Boundary Commission has also stated that local Borough Council wards should not be split.
People in Swindon will barely see any change as both Robert and I will continue to serve our constituents as we always have done, as well as work together as a team to give Swindon as a whole a strong voice in Parliament.
We have also seen the latest employment figures which showed that the number of people in work across the UK is at a record level, with the rate of women in work at the highest level since comparable records began. In North Swindon the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits has fallen by a staggering 1,263 - a 62 per cent drop – since 2010.
We know there is more to do to build an economy that works for everyone and we will continue to work hard to help even more people benefit from the opportunities in our economy, but this consistently good news on jobs shows that we are continuing to support people into work and thus helping them to support their families.
