HOW OUR COMMONS M WILL LOOK AFTER BIGG CHANGES IN A CENTUR AP ST Y

THE most significant change to Wales’s Parliamentary constituencies in a century will redraw the political map of Wales. In some places it will end political careers and result in the loss of historic area names.

Proposals for enlarged constituencies have been put forward by the Boundary Commission for Wales following a decision to reduce the number of Welsh seats in Westminister from 40 to 32. Three consultations have been held and the Commission may yet finesse Wales’ constituency boundaries before making a final recommendation in July.

But already, Aberconwy MP Robin Millar has been confirmed as the Conservative candidate for the new seat of Bangor Aberconwy at the next General Election. Only Ynys Môn (Anglesey) remains unaffected, it being one of five UK constituencies (all island-based) to be “protected”.

Each new constituency must contain a number of electors within 5% of a quota of 73,393 (the UKEQ). To accommodate these numbers, old political boundaries have been ripped up. Over the past 18 months, emotions have been stirred at the prospect of losing names that once bound communities.

A case in point is Arfon constituency, which covers the northern half of the old county of Caernarfonshire. The Vale of Clwyd will also disappear, alongside Clwyd South.

Here are the latest modified proposals:

ALYN AND DEESIDE (ALUN A GLANNAU DYFRDWY)

What’s proposed:

Originally Brymbo and Minera were to be included, despite these areas sharing local ties with Wrexham. Lobbying focussed on returning them to their mother area.

At the same time, critics argued for the inclusion of Bagillt and Flint in Alyn and Deeside. Assistant Commissioners, appointed to find solutions, disagreed, given the 12,000 extra voters this involved. They felt that all other issues when it came to creating new constituencies were “subordinate to the primacy of meeting the statutory electorate range”.

However, the Boundary Commission followed local consensus. It switched Brymbo and Minera to the Wrexham constituency, and included Bagillt and Flint in Alyn and Deeside.

Size: 75,695 electors - 3.1% above the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Alyn and Deeside (Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy). No alternatives suggested.

BANGOR ABERCONWY What’s proposed:

Originally the Boundary Commission suggested sucking in four electoral wards from Clwyd West and another 12 from Arfon. The idea stoked considerable opposition.

Critics argued that Bangor and Colwyn Bay would be split. Changes were put forward but, said the Commission, these suggestions “had not considered the far-reaching effects the proposals would have on the rest of Wales.”

Tories and Lib Dems wanted Pentir in Dwyfor Meirionnydd included. Plaid Cymru went further, proposing a Menai constituency that included both Caernarfon and Bangor. Assistance Commissioners (AC) adopted Plaid’s idea, including Pentir, Bethesda and Penrhosgarnedd with the rest of Bangor and the existing Arfon constituency in a Menai constituency. They also returned the whole of the Bay of Colwyn Town Council to one proposed constituency. vHowever, in creating these constituencies, the ACs split the community of Abergele. So the Boundary Commission opted to stick with the original plan, but to include Pentir as it is “an extension of the City of Bangor”.

Aberconwy wards: Betws-yCoed (967), Bryn (1,390), Caerhun (1,677), Capelulo (1,284), Conwy (3,295), Craig-yDon (2,685), Crwst (1,581), Deganwy (3,289), Eglwysbach (1,257), Gogarth (2,795), Gower (850), Llansanffraid (1,814), Marl (3,539), Mostyn (2,758), Pandy (1,463), Pant-yr-Afon/Penmaenan (2,167), Penrhyn (3,874), Pensarn (2,274), Trefriw (1,026), Tudno (3,591) and Uwch Conwy (1,276).

Clwyd West wards: Betws yn Rhos (1,623), Llangernyw (1,104), Llansannan (1,495) and Uwchaled (1,139), Efenechtyd (1,321) and Llanrheadr-YngNghinmeirch (1,496). Arfon wards: Arllechwedd (1,091), Deiniol (920), Dewi (1,301), Garth (556), Gerlan (1,696), Glyder (1,257), Hendre (940), Hirael (1,066), Marchog (1,579), Menai (Bangor) (1,548), Ogwen (1,697), Pentir (2,159) and Tregarth & Mynydd Llandygai (1,628).

Size: 70,468 electors - 4% below the UKEQ of 73,393.

Proposed name: Bangor Aberconwy. “Bangor and Conwy” was also considered.

CLWYD EAST (DWYRAIN CLWYD)

What’s proposed:

Initial proposals sparked debate as to whether Ruthin’s Denbighshire wards should be in a constituency that included many from Flintshire. Critics argued that people in Ruthin do “not relate to residents in Flintshire” and share greater affinity with areas to the south such as Llandrillo and Corwen.

If Ruthin was included, it was suggested Llandyrnog and Llanbedr

DC should be as well, since these places are “very much the heart of the Vale of Clwyd”. At the same time, some parties wanted Bagillt and Flint to be returned to a proposed Alyn and Deeside constituency with which they have more in common.

This reflected a general feeling that constituencies in North Wales should be designed according to their respective cultures, such as urban, industrial, rural and coastal. In an attempt to accommodate this, Assistant Commissioners proposed two new constituencies one of areas such as Conwy, Llandudno, Colwyn, Deganwy and Llandrillo yn Rhos, the other including areas like Denbigh, Kinmel Bay, St Asaph, Rhyl, Corwen and Llangollen.

In many scenarios, what to do with the Flint and Bagillt wards was a problem: as they contain more than 12,000 electors alone, including them in most models broke quota limits. Agreeing that constituencies should be “based on the differing cultures in North Wales”, the Boundary Commission has created a “largely coastal constituency” that combines “the more densely populated areas”.

Delyn wards: Argoed (2,167), Brynford (1,789), Caerwys (2,050), Cilcain (1,519), Ffynongroyw (1,474), Greenfield (1,983), Gronant (1,257), Gwernaffield (1,646), Gwernymynydd (1,399), Halkyn (1,427), Holywell Central (1,465), Holywell East (1,383) Holywell West (1,762), Leeswood (1,627), Mold Broncoed (2,134), Mold East (1,556), Mold South (2,201), Mold West (1,956), Mostyn (1,458), New Brighton (2,414), Northop (2,596), Northop Hall (1,398), Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor (1,496) and Whitford (1,911).

Vale of Clwyd wards: Dyserth (1,882), Llandyrnog (1,765), Prestatyn Central (2,829), Prestatyn East (3,162), Prestatyn Meliden (1,529), Prestatyn North (4,729), Prestatyn South West (2,861) and Tremeirchion (1,344);

Clwyd West wards: Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla (2,033), Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal (1,170), Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern (1,830) and Ruthin (4,260).

Clwyd South wards: Llangollen (3,302) and Llangollen Rural (1,631).

Size: 76,395 electors, 4.1% above the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Clwyd East (Dwyrain Clwyd). Originally it was to have been called Delyn.

CLWYD NORTH (GOGLEDD CLWYD)

What’s proposed: Original plans for this constituency split the Bay of Colwyn area by hiving off Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos. But doing this meant splitting Abergele. Amongst the suggested solutions was a grand plan from Plaid Cymru, which wanted a Llandudno and Colwyn constituency that, when combined with St Asaph, would extend across much of the North Wales coast. This would enable a rural constituency Plaid called “Meirionnydd, Nant Conwy and Denbigh” across the whole of rural North Wales.

Assistant Commissioners advocated two new constituencies. One would include areas such as Conwy, the Llandudno area, Colwyn, Deganwy and Llandrillo yn Rhos, the other areas like Denbigh, Kinmel Bay, St Asaph, Rhyl, Corwen and Llangollen. The Boundary Commission agreed not to split the Bay of Colwyn. Like the proposed Clwyd East constituency, Clwyd North will combine a “largely coastal constituency” with “more densely populated areas of North Wales”.

Vale of Clwyd wards: Bodelwyddan (1,612), Denbigh Central (1,462), Denbigh Lower (3,483), Denbigh Upper/Henllan (2,265), Rhuddlan (2,913), Rhyl East (3,693), Rhyl South (2,874), Rhyl South East (6,253), Rhyl South West (3,732), Rhyl West (3,283), St. Asaph East (1,472), St. Asaph West (1,290) and Trefnant (1,503).

Clwyd West wards: Abergele Pensarn (1,959), Colwyn (3,373), Eirias (2,800), Gele (3,997), Glyn (3,088), Kinmel Bay (4,607), Llanddulas (1,353), Llandrillo yn Rhos (6,110), Llysfaen (1,906), Mochdre (1,425), Pentre Mawr (2,861), Rhiw (4,991) and Towyn (1,845).

Size: 76,150 electors 3.8% above the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Clwyd North (Gogledd Clwyd). Alternatives were Clwyd East and Clwyd West, or Llandudno and Colwyn.

DWYFOR MEIRIONNYDD

What’s proposed: Originally, the enlarged constituency was to have included the ward of Pentir. Many argued this was an extension of Bangor and should be with the city, thus Aberconwy. To solve the problem, Assistant Commissioners proposed a Menai constituency that included the Pentir, Bethesda and Penrhosgarnedd wards. However the Boundary Commission agreed the simplest course of action was to include Pentir alongside Bangor: this would still leave Dwyfor Meirionnydd within quota limits - just.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd wards: Aberdaron (698), Aberdovey (907), Abererch (986), Abermaw (1,591), Abersoch (519), Bala (1,413), Botwnnog (734), Bowydd & Rhiw (1,235), Brithdir a Llanfachreth/ Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd (1,132), Bryn-crug/Llanfihangel (772), Clynnog (736), Corris/Mawddwy (1,023), Criccieth (1,280), Diffwys & Maenofferen (779), Dolbenmaen (900), Dolgellau North (953), Dolgellau South (1,072), Dyffryn Ardudwy (1,169), Efail Newydd/Buan (1,026), Harlech (1,516), Llanaelhaearn (1,187), Llanbedr (768), Llanbedrog (709), Llandderfel (1,135), Llanengan (847), Llangelynin (1,625), Llanuwchllyn (686), Llanystumdwy (1,547), Morfa Nefyn (945), Nefyn (1,003), Penrhyndeudraeth (1,826), Porthmadog

East (1,178), Porthmadog West (1,329), Porthmadog Tremadog (933), Pwllheli North (1,528), Pwllheli South (1,310), Teigl (1,355), Trawsfynydd (1,088), Tudweiliog (668) and Tywyn (2,476).

Arfon wards: Bethel (1,025), Bontnewydd (865), Cadnant (1,514), Cwm-yGlo (753), Deiniolen (1,463), Groeslon (1,374), Llanberis (1,613), Llanllyfni (915), Llanrug (1,396), Llanwnda (1,507), Menai (Caernarfon) (1,724), Peblig (Caernarfon) (1,603), Penisarwaun (1,365), Penygroes (1,369), Seiont (2,233), Talysarn (1,399), Waunfawr (1,298) and Y Felinheli (1,803).

Size: 69,803 electors 4.9% below the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Dwyfor Meirionnydd. Suggestion alternatives included Arfon Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Arfon Dwyfor, and Gwynedd.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE AND GLYNDŴR (MALDWYN A GLYNDŴR)

What’s proposed: Lots of people wanted Ruthin in the constituency as it had ties with areas such as Llandrillo and Corwen. Some also suggested including Ponciau, Pant and Johnstown electoral wards, even though these have strong links with Wrexham. Alternative ideas included splitting the Ponciau ward. Plaid Cymru proposed altering the boundaries of Montgomeryshire by placing Machynlleth, Glantwymyn, Llanbrynmair, Llandrillo and Corwen in a Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency.

The Lib Dems suggested dividing Montgomeryshire by expanding the Brecon and Radnor seat northwards, taking in Newtown and surrounding communities. They then proposed to extend the Montgomeryshire seat into Clwyd South.

Assistant Commissioners had sympathy with this due to the area’s links within Powys County Council. They did not consider “decisive” the local support for retaining the Montgomeryshire constituency, essentially for cultural and historical reasons. The Boundary Commission disagreed. Nor did it favour splitting Ponciau ward.

Montgomeryshire wards:

Banwy (847), Berriew (1,102), Blaen Hafren (1,876), Caersws (1,831), Churchstoke (1,292), Dolforwyn (1,652), Forden (1,215), Glantwymyn (1,701), Guilsfield (1,827), Kerry (1,607), Llanbrynmair (798), Llandinam (1,155), Llandrinio (1,763), Llandysilio (1,441), Llanfair Caereinion (1,301), Llanfihangel (895), Llanfyllin (1,217), Llanidloes (2,149), Llanwddyn (846), Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant/ Llansilin (1,815), Llansantffraid (1,563), Machynlleth (1,701), Meifod (1,069), Montgomery (1,107), Newtown Central (2,122), Newtown East (1,401), Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North (1,796), Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West (1,447), Newtown South (1,215), Rhiwcynon (1,724), Trewern (1,066), Welshpool Castle (962), Welshpool Gungrog (1,995) and Welshpool Llanerchyddol (1,602).

Clwyd South wards: Cefn (3,768), Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley (1,685), Chirk North (1,846), Chirk South (1,503), Esclusham (2,013), Johnstown (2,461), Pant (1,528), Penycae (1,525), Penycae and Ruabon South (2,026), Plas Madoc (1,169), Ponciau (3,521) and Ruabon (2,078); Corwen (1,799) and Llandrillo (931).

Size: 76,953 electors 4.9% above the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr (Maldwyn a Glyndŵr). Also considered was the name “Montgomeryshire and Berwyn” - the Commission is still open to suggestions. WREXHAM (WRECSAM) What’s proposed: Most people wanted to see Brymbo and Minera in the Wrexham constituency, rather than split off and allocated to Alyn and Deeside, as originally proposed. To accommodate these two areas, several ideas were put forward.

One was to split Rhosllanerchrugog and Ponciau from Esclusham, the former going to the new Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, and latter staying in Wrexham. Another was to reallocate Hope to Alyn and Deeside.

A third proposal, from Assistant Commissioners, was hive off Rossett to Alyn and Deeside as the village “appears to have some affinity” with the area. They accepted the notion was “less than ideal” but they said constituency quotas were impossible to meet “without detaching some electoral wards”.

A popular suggestion for the new constituency was to include all of the principal council area of Wrexham. But this was seen non-viable as it would mean exceeding electoral quotas by some 10,00015,000 voters.

While agreeing Brymbo and Minera should be included, the Boundary Commission opposed splitting electoral wards.

Size: 70,964 electors 3.3% below the UKEQ.

Proposed name: Wrexham (Wrecsam). Widespread consensus for retaining the name.

YNYS MôN What’s proposed:

Nothing. As the constituency is “protected”, it is not subject to statutory electorate quotas.

Size: 52,415 electors 28.6% below the UKEQ.