Keep Hammersmith United Says Local MP


Andy Slaughter responds to 'illogical' plans to change parliamentary boundaries

Current boundaries in blue. Proposed boundaries in red.

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter has responded to proposed changes to the current parliamentary constituency of Hammersmith, calling them 'illogical and unnecessary' and annnouncing that he will be submitting an alternative plan.

As we reported in September, under proposed changes in the 2018 review, revealed by the Boundary Commission, Hammersmith and Fulham would be reunited as one constituency - but wards in Shepherd's Bush would not be included.

In the north of the borough, three wards currently within the Hammersmith constituency – Askew, Wormholt and White City, and Shepherd’s Bush Green – would be separated and included in a new constituency along with six wards from Ealing borough called Ealing Central and Shepherd’s Bush constituency. This would replace the current Ealing Central and Acton constituency.

A fourth ward in Shepherd's Bush, College Park and Old Oak - also currently within the Hammersmith constituency - would become part of a new Willesden constituency.

On his current blog the MP says: " The Boundary Commission for England has been instructed by the Government to reduce the number and change the boundaries of Parliamentary seats.  If you currently live in the Shepherds Bush part of the Hammersmith seat, the Commission proposes moving you to new seats in Brent or Ealing.  Anyone living south of the Goldhawk Road and south side of Shepherds Bush Green will join another new seat that includes south Fulham.

"College Park & Old Oak Ward, the area around Wormwood Scrubs, is, in terms of geography, economy, history and community ties, integrated into Hammersmith & Fulham.  It would be placed in the new Willesden constituency, otherwise exclusively comprised of Brent wards.  The rest of Shepherds Bush would form part of an Ealing seat, stretching beyond Ealing Broadway.

"In other words we would be split into three unequal and illogical parts, which I think is dis-functional and unnecessary.  You can read more about these plans here.

"I will be submitting an alternative proposal which will keep Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush together and has a better solution for Fulham and Chelsea too. Full details of this can be found here, with a map of my proposal for the three central London boroughs here

"The Commission has a duty to respect current Parliamentary constituencies as best they can, to keep communities together.  My proposal keeps all the current wards in the Hammersmith seat together so there is no disruption for local residents.

"The Commission is consulting on these changes until 5 December.  If you object to the proposals for our area, you can submit your views online here or post them to: Boundary Commission for England, First Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.  Comments must be received by 5 December.

"Please copy me into your response, and let me know if you have any questions or comments."

You can contact Andy Slaughter at andy@andyslaughter.com, phone 020 7610 1950 or fax 020 7381 5074.

Post can be sent to:

Andy Slaughter MP
28 Greyhound Road,
London
W6 8NX

 

November 14, 2016