Wishaw’s off electoral map
MP slams the Commission’s plans
People have until the end of this month to comment on proposals which would see Wishaw wiped off the Westminster electoral map.
Under the plans by the Boundary Commission, the Wishaw council ward 20 along with Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig, which includes Craigneuk, would be in a new Hamilton and Motherwell Westminster constituency.
Meanwhile, voters in the Murdostoun council ward, which includes Coltness, Cambusnethan and Newmains, are set to be put into a new Airdrie South and Shotts seat, which would include voters in the Fortissat ward.
And those living in Law and Carluke fall into the proposed Clydesdale and Eskdale constituency which stretches down beyond Lockerbie.
Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows said: “The SNP are opposed to any plans that will see a decrease in Scottish representation at Westminster. These boundary changes will decrease in Scottish MPs from 59 to 53.
“It is essential that we keep the communities of Motherwell and Wishaw together as a constituency.”
Isabel Drummond- Murray, secretary to the commission, said: “We are very grateful for the response to the consultation on the Commission’s initial proposals, with around 1500 written submissions sent to us and further views presented at the five public hearings held last year.
“This secondary consultation period enables the public to consider the comments and alternative designs which we have received to date and to offer views on these.
“This will be a very useful process to help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different arguments that have been put to us.”
The consultation is part of the Commission’s review of UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland which will result in the number of constituencies reducing from 59 to 53 as part of an overall reduction in the number of Members of Parliament across the UK from 650 to 600. The comments are available to view on the Commission’s interactive portal at www.bcs2018.org.uk.
The public can read comments that have been received during the initial public consultation and comment on them until March 27.
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