The Boundary Commission for Wales, which is undertaking a Review of Parliamentary Constituencies in Wales, has today (17 March) published its Guide to the Review.
The Guide sets out the process the Commission will follow in conducting its review, as well as the rules it will take into account as it develops proposals for Wales’ new constituencies.
Under the boundary changes, Wales’ number of constituencies will be reduced from 40 to 32. Ynys Môn is a protected constituency and will therefore not be subject to any changes.
According to the Boundary Commission for Wales’ Guide, the Commission will consider issues such as Geography, existing constituencies, local government boundaries, and local ties when developing proposals for new constituencies.
Each proposed constituency must contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors based on the electorate figures supplied by the ONS on 5 January 2021.
The Commission will also hold three separate consultation periods on its initial and revised proposals, which will include Public Hearings. The first consultation period will begin immediately following the publication of the Commission’s Initial Proposals in September 2021 and will last eight weeks.
For the first time in the Commission’s history, the Guide to the Review is being published not only in Welsh and English, but also in BSL and an Easy Read format, making this Guide the most accessible to date.
Secretary to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ said, “We’re delighted to be publishing our Guide to the Review today.
“We’re determined to develop the best possible proposals for Wales’ new constituencies, and we know that we can only do that by having the greatest public involvement we’ve ever had.
“Our Guide sets out clearly how we’ll go about developing proposals, and crucially, how you can get fully involved in the process.
“Accessibility is at the heart of what we’re trying to achieve. Everyone in Wales has a valuable voice to add to the discussion about Wales’ boundary changes, and we want to make sure everyone can express their views.”
To read the Guide to the Review, please click here.
