PROPOSED changes to boundaries across the country would see a new parliamentary constituency created in Wiltshire.

The Boundary Commission for England has published its initial proposals for new constituency boundaries, and the public are now able to view and provide feedback on the proposals as part of an eight-week consultation process.

This includes changes to the Salisbury constituency, and the creation of a new seat, to be called East Wiltshire.

As part of the proposals, Salisbury’s boundary would lose Amesbury and take over Tisbury.

The Devizes constituency would lose Devizes but gain Amesbury and a small part of Swindon for Wiltshire East.

The South West region has been allocated 58 constituencies – an increase of three from the current number.

Proposals leave three of the 55 existing constituencies wholly unchanged, and 12 unchanged except to realign constituency boundaries with new local government ward boundaries.

The commission said: “As it has not always been possible to allocate whole numbers of constituencies to individual counties, we have grouped some county council and unitary authority areas into sub-regions. The number of constituencies allocated to each sub-region is determined by the combined electorate of the local authorities they contain.

“Consequently, it has been necessary to propose some constituencies that cross county council or unitary authority boundaries, although we have sought to keep such crossings to a minimum.”

Members of the public are encouraged to visit bcereviews.org.uk to view maps showing the proposed new boundaries and provide feedback before the consultation closes on August 2.

People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies.

There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2022.

Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will look at all the evidence received and form its final recommendations.

Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, 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.

Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each Parliamentary constituency more equal. Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries. “We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right.”

“We consider all feedback received during the consultation process, and it is your local knowledge that helps us to shape constituencies that best reflect your local area. It is easy to get involved - view our proposals and have your say on our online consultation portal - www.bcereviews.org.uk.”

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