Boundary Commission for Wales receives record number of responses
The initial consultation period of the Boundary Commission for Wales’ 2023 Review of parliamentary constituencies closed at 23:59 on 3 November, with a record number of responses having been received since 8 September.
The consultation - on the Commission’s initial proposals for the new map of 32 Welsh parliamentary constituencies - is the first in several opportunities for public engagement in the process ahead of Final Recommendations being published in 2023.
The Commission received over 1,100 responses during the 8-week consultation, more than doubling the number received during the equivalent consultation of the 2018 Review.
Certain hotspot areas have become apparent during the consultation, with many respondents providing valuable feedback on proposals for their local area.
A number of respondents stated their opposition to the reduction in the number of Welsh constituencies. This matter was decided by Parliament, and the Commission is unable to affect this decision.
Many however were in favour of the changes proposed for their area, with respondents stating their satisfaction that their community is being moved into a constituency with which they have greater links.
All representations received by the Commission during the 8-week consultation period will be published in the coming weeks.
Commenting on the closure of the consultation, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ said, “I’m very grateful to the people of Wales for playing such an active part in this Review.
“When we published our initial proposals, we asked the public to get involved, knowing that that their local knowledge will be invaluable to the Commission in further developing parliamentary constituencies that reflects the views of the electorate.
“I’m delighted that people across the country have responded with such enthusiasm, and the Commission will now take time to consider the responses we’ve received before we open our secondary consultation period and hold public hearings in the new year.”
The secondary consultation period will open in January where the public will have the opportunity to make counterarguments or speak in support of representations made during the initial consultation period.
The secondary consultation period will last 6 weeks and will also include 5 public hearings held across Wales.
Further details on the public hearings will be published in due course.
