Boundary changes as ‘complete madness’
The shake-up of Parliamentary constituencies proposed by the Boundary Commission has been condemned by a Maidstone councillor.
Under the new scheme, Coxheath, Loose and East Farleigh would be split away from Maidstone to join a new constituency called Mid Kent and Ticehurst, that would stretch down to include Headcorn, Staplehurst, Marden, Yalding, Brenchley, Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, Biddenden, Rolvenden, Tenterden and Ticehurst.
It will span three borough council boundaries – Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford – and two counties, Kent and East Sussex.
Cllr Brian Mortimer (Lib Dem), who represents Coxheath, said: “I believe it is complete and utter madness and nothing more than a number count without any consideration of the consequences. The more residents an MP has makes it more difficult to have a meeting with them. To put villages like Coxheath and Loose in the same boundary as Tenterden that have no connection whatsoever is ridiculous.
“An MP needs not only to live in their constituency, but also needs to have a close connection and local knowledge about problems that may exist. They need to be locally available for their residents.
“To spend money on a boundary review at a time when there are cutbacks after cutbacks is a total waste of money that will not achieve anything except a demise in the service we have now.”
Cllr Susan Grigg (Lib Dem), who represents Loose ward, was more sanguine. She said: “It’s not in our control and my understanding is that it is purely worked out on numbers.
“If it does happen, I’m sure it will not bring the benefits the Government hopes for, nor be as bad as we fear!”
The purpose of the re-organisation is to reduce the overall number of MPs in the House of Commons from 650 to 600 and to ensure a more even spread of voters per constituency, with each Parliamentary electorate falling between 71,631 and 78,507 voters. 72, of Norman Road, West Malling, said: “It doesn’t really bother me. We don’t really look to Tonbridge as our centre anyway – we go into Maidstone.” 60, said: “It’s difficult to see West Malling and Chatham could share the same identity. That said, MPs should make sure they represent all their constituents.”