Mid Sussex boundary to stop resembling a '˜larger intestine'

The number of MPs in the UK is set to be reduced from 650 to 600 and the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) held a 12-week consultation last autumn on its initial draft proposals.

Bolney, Warninglid, Hickstead, Twineham and Albourne are set to be transferred from Mid Sussex to the Arundel and South Downs constituency.

As a second round of consultation opened on Tuesday (February 28), initial comments from the first round have been published.

One respondent wrote: “Bringing in the parishes of Albourne, Bolney, Twineham and Slaugham on the east on the constituency resolves a previous anomaly and is sensible because of the community of interest with Hurstpierpoint.”

One Horsted Keynes resident said: “Fairness is a basic British value. Thus if these revisions make for constituencies having roughly the same number of electors they are absolutely to be implemented. Any other consideration such as to whether it favours one party or another is utterly irrelevant.

“My only concern is that I do not know why Mid-Sussex should resemble the larger intestine but I suppose that is how the cookie has crumbled over the years.”

Meanwhile one Hassocks resident called for the village to be incorporated into the Lewes constituency.

Sam Hartley, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “Public input is invaluable throughout the 2018 Boundary Review. Comments made during both consultations will help us develop a well-rounded picture of how local communities live and work together across the country. This local knowledge will be essential when we revise our proposals. Any changes will be based on your comments so it’s important to have your say.”

Following the second consultation, the BCE’s assistant commissioners will look through all comments received during both consultations, considering all the evidence submitted.

They will then advise the Commission on where they think the proposals should be revised.

Revised proposals will be published as part of a final consultation in late 2017/early 2018 and any further changes made based on comments received. BCE must report to Parliament with its final recommendation in September 2018. If agreed by Parliament, the new constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled General Election in 2020.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.midsussextimes.co.uk

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/midsussextimes

3) Follow us on Twitter @midsussex_times

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Mid Sussex Times - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.