This month, the independent Boundary Commission for England published its initial proposals for changes to parliamentary constituencies. Boundary reviews occur every eight to twelve years with the aim of equalising the number of voters in each constituency to adjust for population shifts. Each constituency is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, therefore there will be significant changes to constituency boundaries to allow for this. The changes would come into effect at the next general election, and the House of Commons will still have 650 MPs.
Northamptonshire will keep its 7 existing constituencies, but the boundaries inside will adjust to balance the size of the electorate in each.
The proposals would see Daventry gain 5 polling districts from South Northamptonshire (Upper and Lower Boddington, Aston le Walls, Eydon, Edgecote and Chipping Warden) and 7 from Wellingborough and Raunds (Hardwick, Orlingbury, Wilby, Little Harrowden, Great Doddington, Hill Top and Isham). The villages of Bugbrooke, Harpole, Kilsingbury, Gayton, Rothersthorpe, Milton Malsor and the Heyfords would move from Daventry to South Northamptonshire. Under these plans, the population of Daventry will decrease from 77,423 to 76,539.
See below for a map of the proposed new boundaries.
It must be noted that these are just the initial proposals of the commission, and are subject to change through the Boundary Commission’s consultation process. If you would like to look at the changes in more detail, and express your views, you can do so at www.bcereviews.org.uk before the closing date of August 2nd.
