Parliamentary boundary proposals sees two changes in Hertsmere

The independent Boundary Commission for England published its initial proposals this week to redraw constituencies across the country, to ensure that they are more equally balanced in terms of voter numbers.

It could mean some residents across the country find themselves in a brand new constituency or moving across to a neighbouring one and electing a different MP to one they may be used to being represented by.

In Hertsmere, the majority of settlements remain unchanged - although there a couple of notable changes.

Currently, Hertsmere's Conservative MP, Oliver Dowden - who is also the Culture Secretary - represents constituents who live in Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, Shenley, Bushey, and Potters Bar, as well as the small villages in between.

Oliver Dowden, Conservative MP for Hertsmere

However, under these boundary proposals, the ward of 'Bushey North' would be lost to Watford.

But Northaw & Cuffley, which currently sits within the Broxbourne constituency, would become part of Hertsmere.

The rest of the constituency remains unchanged.

The commission stressed that the proposals, which open for an initial eight-week public consultation period, were provisional.

It is not due to make its final recommendations to Parliament until July 2023.

If these changes are implemented, it would only affect voting at parliamentary level and not at Hertsmere Borough Council.

Wards that fall within Hertsmere Borough Council, offices pictured, would not be affected by these parliamentary boundary proposals

In total, of the 533 existing English constituencies, fewer than 10 per cent will remain unchanged under the proposals.

Locally, the South West Hertfordshire constituency, which covers towns and villages in the districts of Three Rivers and Dacorum, would be broken up.

Two brand new constituencies of Three Rivers and Harpenden & Berkhamsted would be created, with South West Hertfordshire's existing settlements moving into either of these districts or the Hemel Hempstead constituency.

Commission secretary Tim Bowden said: "The 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.

"We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right."

To see the Hertsmere constituency boundary map proposal, click here.

To submit a response to the proposals, visit https://www.bcereviews.org.uk/

Main Hertsmere settlements under boundary proposals: Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, Shenley, Potters Bar, Bushey Heath, Bushey Park, Bushey St James, South Mimms, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath, Patchett's Green, Northaw, Cuffley, Bentley Heath