Wirral MP says Boundary Commission consultation is 'waste of money' (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral MP says Boundary Commission consultation is 'waste of money'

3:03pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL MP has branded a consultation seeking views on a shake-up of electoral boundaries as a “waste of time and money.”

Alison McGovern’s comments come as the Boundary Commission launches an eight-week consultation to find out the public’s thoughts on changes to constituencies.

Earlier this year, Lib Dem party leader Nick Clegg refused to back his coalition partner David Cameron’s proposals following Tory MPs blocking House of Lords reforms.

Wirral was set to lose one seat, with Wirral South being split between three new constituencies – Mersey Banks, Hoylake and Neston and Birkenhead.

However the Commission is now running a consultation until December 10 to get opinions on its revised proposals which include alterations to Wirral’s political landscape.

Among the changes would be Upton ward being added to the Wallasey constituency, while Bromborough and Eastham would share an MP with Frodsham as part of Mersey Banks and Weaver.

Wirral South MP Ms McGovern believes the consultation should have been scrapped after Nick Clegg’s comments in August.

She said: “It is a complete waste of time and money as the Lib Dems have said they will vote against it when it goes through parliament. The Lib Dems have taken a sensible decision in that if you look at the revised proposals they’re still coming up with ridiculous changes such as Mersey Banks and Weaver.”

If given the go-ahead, the changes would also see Clatterbridge, Greasby, Heswall and Hoylake sharing a Member of Parliament with Neston and Parkgate.

And Bebington ward would fall under Birkenhead constituency.

But Ms McGovern said it was still vital that Wirral residents took part  and made their voices heard.

A public consultation held last year saw local people object to similar proposals.

She said: “It is so important that people get involved and make their views known because we cannot be sure of what will happen.

“If the plans go through, it will mean people in Port Sunlight, Bromborough and New Ferry will be in the same constituency as Frodsham and Runcorn – that would mean three different local authorities which makes things very difficult.”

To find out more, visit www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk.