EVESHAM and Pershore could be represented by one MP for the first time in more than two decades under a radical shake up of the electoral map in the UK revealed today (Tuesday).
The Boundary Commission has published plans for new Parliamentary constituencies in a bid to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2020.
If the proposals were introduced it would mean voters in Evesham and Pershore would elect the same Member of Parliament for the first time since the former South Worcestershire seat was axed in 1997.
Since then voters in Evesham have elected Conservative MP Sir Peter Luff and current MP Nigel Huddleston as part of the Mid Worcestershire seat while Pershore voters elected Sir Michael Spicer and current Tory MP Harriett Baldwin as part of the West Worcestershire seat.
But both Mr Huddleston and Mrs Baldwin would see their seats carved up with Mr Huddleston losing all of Droitwich and the surrounding areas to the proposed Bromsgrove and Droitwich seat.
The proposed new ‘Evesham and South Warwickshire’ seat would take in Red Horse, currently in the Kenilworth and Southam seat, Inkberrow which is currently in the Redditch constituency and areas of the current Stratford Upon Avon constituency.
Bredon, Eckington, Elmley Castle and Somerville, South Bredon and Pershore would also be taken in by the new seat.
Meanwhile the new ‘Malvern and Ledbury’ seat would take in more than 17,000 voters from the neighbouring North Herefordshire seat.
The proposals could see Mr Huddleston and Mrs Baldwin both facing battles to remain as Members of Parliament.
Sam Hartley, Secretary to the Commission, said: “Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like.
“But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts – during the next 12 weeks we want people to take a look and tell us what they like and don’t like about our proposals.
“Parliament has set us tight rules about reducing the number of constituencies, and making them of more equal size, and we now need the views of people around the country to help us shape constituencies that best reflect local areas.
“Use our website to tell us what you think, or come along to one of our public events to give us your views in person,” he added.
Visit www.bce2018.org.uk for more information on the consultation which closes on December 5.
There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2017. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the BCE will look at all the evidence received and make final recommendations to Parliament in September 2018.
