Appleby and Kirkby Stephen to become part of Westmorland and Lonsdale under new proposals (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Appleby and Kirkby Stephen to become part of Westmorland and Lonsdale under new proposals
10:04am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News
APPLEBY and Kirkby Stephen could become part of Westmorland and Lonsdale if new parliamentary boundaries are given the go-ahead.
Re-drafted plans unveiled by the Boundary Commission today would extend the constituency northwards, with Shap and Crosby Ravensworth becoming part of the northern Penrith and Solway constituency.
Nationally the number of constituencies will be reduced from 533 to 502, with one of the losses being Workington. This leaves five in Cumbria – Copeland, Barrow-in-Furness, Westmorland and Lonsdale, Penrith and Solway, and Carlisle.
The changes come in an effort to reduce the number of MPs in Parliament by 50 to 600.
In initial proposals Windermere was to become joined with Copeland, but this was rejected due to geographical nature of the Lake District.
Barrow was also to include two Grange-over-Sands wards, but this was met with ‘considerable opposition’ and also rejected.
Tim Farron, for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “Whatever happens, my job is to work hard for the good of the communities that I represent in Westmorland and Lonsdale. I note the new proposals, but whatever the boundaries I will continue to focus on being the best MP I can be for the people of South Lakeland who gave me my job.”
The Commission has now launched an eight-week public consultation. Visit consultation.boundarycommis sionforengland.independent.gov.uk
