Backlash over plans to ‘carve up’ constituency
HUNDREDS of people have registered their opposition to proposals which would see Ainsdale removed from the Southport constituency.
According to plans included in a public consultation, the Boundary Commission would see Ainsdale moved into the Sefton Central area with the likes of Formby and Crosby when electing its MP.
But those suggestions have drawn ire from many, including former MP and now councillor John Pugh who believes the change would sacrifice the integrity of Southport.
The proposal is part of a nationwide change designed to ensure that each constituency contains a similar number of inhabitants and would see three Lancashire wards Hesketh-with-Becconsall, Rufford and Tarleton - moved into the Southport area instead.
Cllr Pugh ran a survey on whether Ainsdale should remain part of the constituency and received overwhelming support, with 91% opposing the possible change.
He is now calling for those who want to see Ainsdale remain part of Southport to ensure they continue to make their voices heard and force the Boundary Commission to redraw its plans at the next stage of consultation.
The Lib Dem group leader said: “Work has started on presenting a case to the Boundary Commission and public opinion matters. It is not though sufficient. We need to show that the requirement in law to make all constituencies of similar size can be met.
“Ironically Southport itself with Ainsdale is already the right size but is being carved up in order to make the numbers even in other parts of Merseyside.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the integrity of Southport, which uniquely has remained unchanged as a constituency since 1918, is being sacrificed for the benefit of other areas.
“On the Boundary Commission’s own figures Southport with 71,037 electors is well within the acceptable range and is likely to grow with all the new housing coming on stream.
“Last time in 2016 when the Boundary Commission came up with unworkable changes, they revised the proposals in response to argument. This time there is even less of a case for their proposed changes. “Ironically the commission state that their current proposals “both better respect local ties and the boundaries of existing constituencies.
“We need though to boost our evidence with more fieldwork and a clear evidence base. All help now will be gratefully received!”
Meanwhile, Cllr Greg Myers presented a motion at last week’s full council meeting asking his fellow representatives to formally reject the proposal.
The motion stated that the
Lancashire wards are “quite separate and distinct” to Southport and there is no justification for claiming they have the same ties to the town as Ainsdale.
It continued: “Let us be clear, these changes do not better respect local ties - they sever them.
“Ainsdale must remain part of Southport constituency or it is painfully obvious that both are being sacrificed on the altar of expediency by the Boundary Commission. An integral part of us should not be torn away simply because it makes life easier for others.”
Conservative group leader Cllr Tony Brough voted against that motion, describing it as “political opportunism” but later said he intends to make his own submission asking the commission to scrap the proposal.
He said: “If the same unedited submission were presented to the Boundary Commission, I am certain it would draw a negative response and severely hamper the more credible and properly constructed application that I wish to make on behalf of the residents of Ainsdale.
“I voted against the motion as I refuse to support a document which I believe would seriously damage the prospects of better and more considered submissions that if applied correctly, would seriously challenge the findings of the Boundary Commission - and have a realistic prospect of keeping Ainsdale in Southport.”