The Boundary Commission has today (Tuesday 13th September) announced proposals that will seek to redraw constituencies in order to make them fairer, and give everyone's vote equal weight, wherever they live.
Parliament asked the independent Commission to instigate the review to bring down the size and cost of the House of Commons, which is the largest directly-elected national chamber in Europe. With the number of MPs being reduced, as well as bringing the UK closer in line to other democracies, it is estimated there would be a cost saving of £12m per year should the changes be effected after consultation.
There are a number of proposed changes around Hampshire, including the creation of a new Hedge End & Hamble constituency, while Meon Valley would be absorbed into a number of surrounding constituencies, including the new Winchester seat.
Winchester would gain Bishop's Waltham and villages including Cheriton, Bishop's Sutton, Droxford, Soberton, Hambledon, Owslebury, Curdridge, Swanmore and Newton, as well as the Upper Meon Valley. With the exceptions of Denmead, Whiteley and Wickham, the new Winchester seat would be formed along the lines of the Winchester City Council district.
Sadly, the wards of Chandler's Ford East, Chandler's Ford West, Hiltingbury East and Hiltingbury West would move across to form part of the new Eastleigh constituency, which in itself has proposed changes.
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine said: "The coalition Government has decided it wishes to reduce the number of constituencies and equalise them in size. Personally I think without also reducing the number of Ministers it will weaken Parliament but this was a key plank of the coalition agreement and that decision has already been taken.
"I think the people I represent are not actually that concerned about the technicalities of where each boundary lies, they want me to continue working hard on their behalf and respond promptly when they get in touch. I have been elected for five years to represent Winchester - including Chandler's Ford - and that's rightly where my focus lies.
"If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected in 2015 for the 'new' Winchester that would be obviously be amazing and this remains one of the great constituencies in England in my humble opinion. We should remember, for now these are merely draft proposals to be consulted upon."
Pictured; Winchester Cathedral lies in the heart of the proposed new Winchester seat
More information...
As of Tuesday 13th September, there are 84 days in which to respond to the consultation. You can view all the proposals at
http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/.