PROPOSED changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries which could see villages including Long Lawford split from Rugby have been slammed.
The Boundary Commission for England is currently conducting a review which will see the number of MPs sitting in Parliament reduced by 50 to 600.
The proposed new boundaries in Warwickshire would see the current Rugby and Bulkington seat split. Southam and Dunchurch, currently part of the Kenilworth and Southam seat held by Jeremy Wright, will join Rugby in forming a new Rugby and Southam seat.
But villages to the north of Rugby – including Brinklow, Wolston, Brandon, Monks Kirby, Pailton and Long Lawford – will become part of a new Nuneaton constituency.
Rugby Labour Group leader Coun Claire Edwards said the changes would disenfranchises the millions who had joined the electoral register in the run up to the EU Referendum.
She said: “It appears to be an exercise in splitting Rugby apart so Warwickshire has each urban area added to many rural areas – so it’s not good news for Labour on the whole, and even worse for an electorate who wants choice.
“This does nothing for the electorate, and doesn’t take into account new building that will happen at the mast site.
“Its clear that Warwickshire will have to reduce from six to five MPs, so the biggest issue is how all the existing male Tories (none of whom appear to be looking to retire) are going to manage.”
Long Lawford resident and secretary of the Rugby Trade Union and Socialist Coalition Pete McLaren said moving Long Lawford to the Nuneaton constituency made no sense.
He said: “As a resident of Long Lawford, I feel very much part of Rugby which, of course, is only a mile down the road. Nuneaton is 15 miles away. If constituents feel little empathy with an area, they are even less likely to participate politically.
“I will argue strongly for Long Lawford to remain within the Rugby constituency.”
Rugby and Bulkington’s current Conservative MP Mark Pawsey said it was only right that the system was made fairer so that votes cast in different areas of the country carry equal weight.
He said: “I fully understand why these changes are being proposed and I support making the system fairer and more equal across the country.
“I also welcome the inclusion of villages such as Dunchurch within the new Rugby and Southam constituency proposals as I am often asked why it is not part of the present Rugby constituency.
“I am, however, disappointed to see that other villages to the north of the town, such as Long Lawford, would no longer be part of the newly formed constituency.
“Whatever the final outcome of this review, I look forward to continuing to represent Rugby’s interests in Parliament, and those of residents who will become part of the new Rugby and Southam constituency, after the 2020 General Election and beyond.”
The changes will mean each constituency will have an electorate of between 71,030 and 78,500 people.
If approved, the boundaries will change in September 2018.
People can have their say on the proposals on November 10 and 11 from 10am to 8pm at the Pump Rooms, Leamington.
Visit www.bce2018.org.uk for further details.
