New lines for MPs in boundary shake-up
PROPOSALS to redraw Cheshire’s Pa r l i a m e n t a r y boundaries could put Conservative MPs on a collision course, it has been revealed.
Draft plans show that David Rutley’s Macclesfield constituency could be altered to include a large patch of the area currently represented by George Osborne.
The former chancellor’s Tatton constituency would disappear in the plans, with Chelford, Alderley Edge and parts of Wilmslow becoming part of the Macclesfield.
The remaining areas - Knutsford, Mobberley and High Legh - will be included in a new constituency called Altrincham and Tatton Park.
In a statement George Osborne said he will stand in ‘Cheshire’ at the next General Election but didn’t confirm which constituency it would be in.
The constituency is to be redrawn in the run-up to the next General Election in 2020.
The draft plans by the independent Boundary Commissions of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, propose parts of Wilmslow, including the town centre, Pownall Park, Lacey Green and Fulshaw Park, will join the Macclesfield constituency.
While Wilmslow Park, Dean Row, Finney Green and Handforth will join Poynton, Disley, Pott Shrigley and Kettleshulme within the Bramhall and Poynton Ward.
Macclesfield MP David Rutley said he supports the need for new boundaries but raised concerns about residents in Poynton and Disley, which will share a constituency within both Cheshire East and Greater Manchester.
He said: “The independent Boundary Commission is taking forward important work in reviewing Parliamentary constituency boundaries in response to population changes and the move to equalise the size of seats. I am pleased that the initial proposals keep Macclesfield as a constituency and recognise the historic links between the town and many local communities.
George Osborne, MP for Tatton, said he welcomed the need for new boundaries but did not confirm whether he is in favour of the boundaries set out.
He said: “I fully support the Boundary Review as a part of our democracy. We’ve now seen the first draft of the proposals. It involves big changes for my constituency.
“I’m going to consider carefully whether they can be improved upon and whether to make representations. Whatever the final boundaries, I look forward to putting myself forward to voters for reelection for Cheshire in 2020.”
Altrincham is currently represented by Graham Brady, who also represents Sale West.
The law requires the size and shape of parliamen- tary boundaries to be periodically reviewed to keep with up demographic changes influencing the number of eligible electors in each area as well as other factors such as local administrative arrangements. The aim is to reduce the number of MPs by 50 to 600.
In a report the Boundary Commission said: “As a result of Greater Manchester’s allocation of 25.37 constituencies, and Cheshire’s allocation of 10.34 constituencies, and therefore a reduction in Cheshire of one constituency to ten, our proposals have led to two constituencies that cross the Greater Manchester/ Cheshire county boundary. ”