700 for Walthamstow: October 2016

Why 700 for Walthamstow

The Boundary Commission reviewed the boundaries of Westminster parliamentary constituencies, following legislation in 2011 to reduce their number, and make them more equal in size. It reported in 2018. Parliament has never debated this review, and is now very unlikely to.

In a similar review in 2011, the Commission initially included a Walthamstow constituency, but later eliminated it. '700 for Walthamstow' aimed to get local people, appalled by this, to send written responses to the Commission. In all around 1000 were sent (though the whole process was stopped in 2012 when parliament voted to stop it).

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

News from the first public hearing - responses from the 3 parties

Yesterday and today the first public hearing takes place in Westminster. At this hearing – the first in the region – the five political parties with English seats in the UK Parliament are offered a longer speaking slot at the start of the hearing to set out their proposals for the whole region.

For Walthamstow and surrounding areas the responses to the BC initial proposals have been:

Labour Party – retain Walthamstow in its current form with the addition of Forest ward (currently in Leyton & Wanstead). Walthamstow Ward list becomes: Higham Hill, High St, Hoe St, Lea Bridge, Markhouse, William Morris, Wood St., Chapel End, Forest.

Conservative Party – return Chapel End to Walthamstow, but leave Wood Street in Leytonstone and Wanstead as per BC initial proposals. Walthamstow Ward list becomes: Cathall, Chapel End, Grove Green, Higham Hill, High St, Hoe St, Lea Bridge, Markhouse, William Morris, Leyton.

Liberal Democrats – no comment at this stage. Ward list remains: Higham Hill, High St, Hoe St, Lea Bridge, Markhouse, William Morris, Leyton, Grove Green, Cathall, Cann Hall.

To see the current electoral boundaries at the various administrative levels (wards, parliamentary constituencies etc) visit the OS Election maps pages.