RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has urged his constituents in Great Ayton to have their say about changes which could see them moved to a different Parliamentary area.
Great Ayton and its surrounding communities could be moved into the Thirsk and Malton constituency after more than 100 years in the Richmond seat.
The proposal is part of the independent Boundary Commission's plan to reduce the number of MPs and create constituencies of a similar electoral size.
During a first consultation on the plan last year, an alternative proposal backed by Mr Sunak which would keep Great Ayton in the Richmond constituency was put forward.
A second and final consultation has opened on the proposals and Mr Sunak wants voters in Great Ayton to back the alternative proposal.
Mr Sunak said: “Great Ayton's links with the Ryedale area are tenuous to say the least and the village is separated from the rest of the Thirsk and Malton constituency by the not insubstantial mass of the North York Moors.
“It has few links with the communities 20 miles or more to the south. Whether the issue is geography, education, health, business, or local media, Great Ayton's focus lies north and north-west of the Moors.
“Leaving aside these important issues, from a personal point of view I want to keep a community for which I have a great deal of affection in my patch.
Mr Sunak said he had backed the alternative proposal which achieves the Commission's objective of having seats with a roughly equal number of electors while keeping Great Ayton in the Richmond constituency - where it has been for more than 100 years.
“Please take this opportunity to keep Great Ayton where it belongs,” he added.
“It just takes a few minutes and all you need to say is that you believe it makes more sense for Great Ayton to stay with Stokesley, Northallerton and the rest of the constituency rather than move over the hill to Ryedale.”
The second consultation runs until March 27. Comments can be made at www.bce2018.org.uk.