RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has urged his constituents to make their views known on proposed changes to the Richmond parliamentary seat boundaries.
The independent Boundary Commission recently published its plans for a shake-up of parliamentary constituencies. The changes are designed to reduce the number of MPs by 50 and equalise the numerical size of constituencies.
Under the proposals, the Great Ayton ward, which includes the villages of Kildale, Battersby and Ingleby Greenhow, would be included in the Thirsk and Malton constituency.
Mr Sunak said: “I am aware that the first set of proposals removed Great Ayton from the Richmond (Yorks) constituency.
“This is disappointing as there is a strong logic for keeping Great Ayton together with Stokesley and other parts of the constituency.
“There are many aspects of life – social, economic, educational, historical and cultural – which connect Great Ayton to Stokesley.
“And on a more personal note, I would be sad to lose the right to represent a wonderful part of the constituency.
“However, this is only a preliminary proposal and there were significant revisions between preliminary and final proposals last time the boundaries were reviewed. We have every opportunity to keep things as they are, and I would urge constituents to make their feelings known.”
Mr Sunak said he had contributed to an alternative proposal which was to be submitted to the Commission. This would keep Great Ayton in the constituency but still deal with numerical issues the Commission had elsewhere.
People can have their say known via the Boundary Commission’s website at https://www.bce2018.org.uk/ and also in person at public hearings in Northallerton on Thursday and Friday, October 20 and 21. Those constituents who wish to make their representations in person at the hearings, to be held at the Stone Cross offices of Hambleton District Council, need to do by registering via the same website.
The deadline for representations and comments is December 5.