A key step in the last (discontinued) process was generating a huge response from Walthamstow residents to the second set of boundary proposals in which there was no Walthamstow constituency. Although the Commission never published its response to the second consultation round informally it disclosed that the responses from Walthamstow vastly outnumbered the total of responses from all other constituencies across London. Around 1000 letters were sent.
Below is the page we set up to assist with getting this scale of response. Some of the links in it will have expired.
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Need help writing your letter? The most important thing is that it's your own letter, not a 'standard letter', or a petition - the Commission discount those. It can be passionate, technical, historical, long, short, full of feelings, full of facts - as long as it's you. And it can be from you individually, or from a community group - eg a residents' association, or a local sports club. To help you we have:
Boundary Commission for England,
35 Great Smith Street,
London SW1P 3BQ
[Or you can email this letter to: reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk ]
Dear Sir or Madam
Changes to Walthamstow Constituency
I note the outcome of the recent Boundary Commission Review into Parliamentary Boundaries with concern. You are proposing to split the Walthamstow constituency into a Leyton constituency and a Chingford constituency. I want to register my concern at these proposals and to propose strongly that you reject this model in the final Review document.
I have set out my concerns below:
Walthamstow as a place
This new proposal splits a long established community that is referenced in the Domesday book and has a well known and celebrated identity. Political engagement in the UK has been declining for many years as citizens repeatedly highlight their sense of alienation from the political process. So too, research consistently shows it is local ties and a ‘sense of place’ that are crucial to constituent engagement in the democratic process.
In Walthamstow, this sense of place can be seen in activities such as the E17 art trail, the E17 Film Festival, the Stow Music Festival, as well as the multitude of local sports and community organisations which proudly define themselves as Stow or Walthamstow based. Indeed, the level of concern about these proposals being expressed is a microcosm of the strong sense of place residents in Walthamstow feel about the area.
A constituency that works well
My view is that the present constituency is working almost perfectly. The constituency is very clearly defined in people’s minds, and there is a very strong sense of identification and pride in it – just look at the use of the #awesomestow tag on Twitter for immediate examples. It contains most of the significant civic, shopping and transportation facilities of Waltham Forest. The standing MP, like her predecessor, is strengthened by the clarity of her mandate, and in turn strengthens the community she serves through the clear recognition of the immediate relevance of her role to the people she serves. There could be no excuse for fracturing a constituency so clearly defined by local geography and community identity, and working so well in practice.
The North Circular
The North Circular is a much more significant barrier than Elmsdale Road and Hatherly Road, which you now propose. If you have ever tried to cross the North Circular on foot, say at the Billet Roundabout, you will find a terrifying network of subways and passages that many people refuse to use. Travel across this six lane motorway can only really be achieved by car or bus. This affects how these separated communities actually interact.
Indeed, this proposal explicitly contradicts the Boundary Commission’s own concerns not to see the north circular split up a community – as their report states ‘We are in no doubt that the North Circular Road divides, rather than links, the communities on either side of it’. However under this proposal residents living either side of the North Circular would be expected to engage in the political process as mutual Chingford Residents, whether they live near the William Morris Gallery or Blackhorse Road station or near Epping Forest and Gilwell Park.
Leyton and Walthamstow Town Centre
Further failing to reflect the way in which local residents live in this area, the report states the name Leyton, ‘describes the main population centre adequately’. This overlooks Walthamstow’s distinctive, larger and vibrant town centre. Walthamstow’s status as the dominant area of the borough is reflected in the name Waltham Forest. However under these proposals residents who live near the Coppermill lane and Walthamstow Marsh area would be expected to share civic concerns with those living in Cathall and Leytonstone, despite no direct transport links between these areas.
Public and Civic Life Access
- What to say - many of the main points to raise
- Dropbox Folder of letters - written by various people already; you can adapt as you like (works best if you sign up to Dropbox - which is free) 700 for Walthamstow Dropbox
New - try the LETTER GENERATOR!
(links to the OurWalthamstow site, & generates a letter for you!) (over 300 sent so far!)- Choose from a pre-selected list of points, and write your own
- Generate an automated Draft Letter, and edit it to match your feelings
- You can print the letter on your printer, sign and send it by Post, or...
- You can submit it directly to the Boundary Commission via email
- Or simply scroll down this page - to see some letters people have written
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These are a couple of letters that people have already submitted. Don't forget - you can post your letter, email it, or use the Commission's online page. See here for the postal and email addresses.
My Name
My Address
My Postcode
Date
35 Great Smith Street,
London SW1P 3BQ
[Or you can email this letter to: reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk ]
Dear Sir or Madam
Changes to Walthamstow Constituency
I note the outcome of the recent Boundary Commission Review into Parliamentary Boundaries with concern. You are proposing to split the Walthamstow constituency into a Leyton constituency and a Chingford constituency. I want to register my concern at these proposals and to propose strongly that you reject this model in the final Review document.
I have set out my concerns below:
Walthamstow as a place
This new proposal splits a long established community that is referenced in the Domesday book and has a well known and celebrated identity. Political engagement in the UK has been declining for many years as citizens repeatedly highlight their sense of alienation from the political process. So too, research consistently shows it is local ties and a ‘sense of place’ that are crucial to constituent engagement in the democratic process.
In Walthamstow, this sense of place can be seen in activities such as the E17 art trail, the E17 Film Festival, the Stow Music Festival, as well as the multitude of local sports and community organisations which proudly define themselves as Stow or Walthamstow based. Indeed, the level of concern about these proposals being expressed is a microcosm of the strong sense of place residents in Walthamstow feel about the area.
A constituency that works well
My view is that the present constituency is working almost perfectly. The constituency is very clearly defined in people’s minds, and there is a very strong sense of identification and pride in it – just look at the use of the #awesomestow tag on Twitter for immediate examples. It contains most of the significant civic, shopping and transportation facilities of Waltham Forest. The standing MP, like her predecessor, is strengthened by the clarity of her mandate, and in turn strengthens the community she serves through the clear recognition of the immediate relevance of her role to the people she serves. There could be no excuse for fracturing a constituency so clearly defined by local geography and community identity, and working so well in practice.
The North Circular
The North Circular is a much more significant barrier than Elmsdale Road and Hatherly Road, which you now propose. If you have ever tried to cross the North Circular on foot, say at the Billet Roundabout, you will find a terrifying network of subways and passages that many people refuse to use. Travel across this six lane motorway can only really be achieved by car or bus. This affects how these separated communities actually interact.
Indeed, this proposal explicitly contradicts the Boundary Commission’s own concerns not to see the north circular split up a community – as their report states ‘We are in no doubt that the North Circular Road divides, rather than links, the communities on either side of it’. However under this proposal residents living either side of the North Circular would be expected to engage in the political process as mutual Chingford Residents, whether they live near the William Morris Gallery or Blackhorse Road station or near Epping Forest and Gilwell Park.
Leyton and Walthamstow Town Centre
Further failing to reflect the way in which local residents live in this area, the report states the name Leyton, ‘describes the main population centre adequately’. This overlooks Walthamstow’s distinctive, larger and vibrant town centre. Walthamstow’s status as the dominant area of the borough is reflected in the name Waltham Forest. However under these proposals residents who live near the Coppermill lane and Walthamstow Marsh area would be expected to share civic concerns with those living in Cathall and Leytonstone, despite no direct transport links between these areas.
Public and Civic Life Access
Whether our work to restore our cinema, fight for school places or health care services it is clear Walthamstow has distinctive needs which reflect the geography of the area as well as the differing communities that live within the area. Indeed, responding to these challenges residents in Walthamstow find it easier to access services in Hackney or Redbridge – visiting South Woodford to go to the cinema or indeed central London for women’s health services- further reflecting the lack of ties and difficulties in reaching either Chingford or Leyton for Walthamstow based citizens.
Alternative proposals
Just as residents in Walthamstow feel strongly about their own representation, so too we recognise the identities of Chingford, Leyton and Ilford.
I urge the Boundary Commission to reject these proposals and instead reconfigure North East London to reflect these local ties.
Yours faithfully
Dear Sirs
We are most concerned at the Commissioners’ proposal to split Walthamstow up for our representation in Parliament.
We are an ancient community with clearly delineated boundaries: the River Lea, the North Circular Road and Epping Forest. Amid the anonymity of much of London, we proudly identify with our sense of place. There is a famous market, a vibrant arts scene, and a wonderful cosmopolitan atmosphere. For those who work in central London and elsewhere, there is a real sense of homecoming to “The Stow” (the very word means ‘place’).
The initial review left Walthamstow intact, so did not arouse a great deal of concern at public meetings. This radical new plan is causing anger, and we are therefore obliged to express this through written submissions. Any internet search will reveal that Walthamstow's identity is firm and reflected in the huge number of local businesses, clubs, societies, faith groups, schools who are proud to reflect our special Walthamstow/E17 character. We are a major London centre and destination.
Our sense of community has been underlined for over a century by clear representation at Westminster, an august political history and strong democratic and civic involvement. The same might also be said for Chingford and Leyton, so to blur Walthamstow’s identity with others’ in the way proposed goes against the very ethos of the Boundary Commission’s stated purpose. While we accept that boundaries may need adjustment from time to time to reflect changing demographics, we believe this can be achieved far more sensitively than by this crude proposal. Democracy thrives on local involvement and sense of community, not on arithmetic.
We urge you to reconsider these recommendations.
Yours faithfully
More info:
Alternative proposals
Just as residents in Walthamstow feel strongly about their own representation, so too we recognise the identities of Chingford, Leyton and Ilford.
I urge the Boundary Commission to reject these proposals and instead reconfigure North East London to reflect these local ties.
Yours faithfully
_____________________________________________
Dear Sirs
We are most concerned at the Commissioners’ proposal to split Walthamstow up for our representation in Parliament.
We are an ancient community with clearly delineated boundaries: the River Lea, the North Circular Road and Epping Forest. Amid the anonymity of much of London, we proudly identify with our sense of place. There is a famous market, a vibrant arts scene, and a wonderful cosmopolitan atmosphere. For those who work in central London and elsewhere, there is a real sense of homecoming to “The Stow” (the very word means ‘place’).
The initial review left Walthamstow intact, so did not arouse a great deal of concern at public meetings. This radical new plan is causing anger, and we are therefore obliged to express this through written submissions. Any internet search will reveal that Walthamstow's identity is firm and reflected in the huge number of local businesses, clubs, societies, faith groups, schools who are proud to reflect our special Walthamstow/E17 character. We are a major London centre and destination.
Our sense of community has been underlined for over a century by clear representation at Westminster, an august political history and strong democratic and civic involvement. The same might also be said for Chingford and Leyton, so to blur Walthamstow’s identity with others’ in the way proposed goes against the very ethos of the Boundary Commission’s stated purpose. While we accept that boundaries may need adjustment from time to time to reflect changing demographics, we believe this can be achieved far more sensitively than by this crude proposal. Democracy thrives on local involvement and sense of community, not on arithmetic.
We urge you to reconsider these recommendations.
Yours faithfully
_____________________________________________
More info:
- What to say - some points to raise with the Boundary Commission
- Help with your letter
- Links
- News - Our video, Don't assume the changes won't happen, What the London Plan says
- Maps
- Why it's a BAD THING - the case against the proposals
- Pictures - an example of the present boundary, and of the proposed boundary
- NEW Our video - One voice for Walthamstow - brilliant work by Sian, Lorraine, and their team. Thanks to all involved!
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