|
Member of Parliament for Bradford East@DavidWardMP on Twitter and Facebook |
 |
David Ward MP <>
Boundary changes could leave whole communities in the wilderness
September 19, 2011 8:22 PM
Bradford East MP David Ward has criticised the Boundary Commission's proposed changes to Parliamentary Constituencies in Bradford
I have now looked at the proposals in detail and it's becoming clear that the new boundaries could leave whole communities in the wilderness without proper Parliamentary representation. I agree with the principle of reducing the number of MPs and equalising the size of constituencies, but that shouldn't be done at the expense of communities.
Eccleshill is part of Bradford, its residents work, shop and go to school in Bradford, and yet these proposals would see them represented by a Leeds MP. Similarly, Idle and Thackley can't be properly represented by an MP based in Otley when it receives all of its services from Bradford. This would see local people struggling to make themselves heard above a Leeds majority.
The proposal to move Shipley into Bradford West is also clearly ridiculous. The town has a very strong independent identity and it makes absolutely no sense to lump it together with parts of Bradford with which it has no natural affinity.
If you would like to see the changes proposed by the boundary commission you can here
The Boundary Commission are consulting the public on the proposed changes until the 5th December 2011 if you would like to add your comments or suggestions you can do so here