LevellerLive

Last week the Boundary Commission for England announced major changes to constituency boundaries in Somerset. The changes will see new constituencies in Bridgwater and Frome. The carving up of Wells and the creation of a new Somerton and Glastonbury Constituency. West Somerset is to be merged with Tiverton and only Yeovil and Taunton emerge relatively unscathed.

Of course these are only proposals and subject to consultation and further deliberation over the next two years. Even so local political reaction is always interesting to gauge. S0 last week we asked representatives from all the major parties for their view on the changes. We are publishing their responses as we receive them. Today we heard from the sitting Conservative MP for Somerton and Frome Constituency, David Warburton:

“I’m rather sad that Somerton and Frome are being separated – it will be the end of an era, given the constituency has existed for almost three decades, since 1983.  But the two new constituencies will, should this go through, each have a very distinct character.  Somerton and Frome is an enormous constituency, and I must say that having an additional MP will mean that every constituent will wield more democratic power.

The new Glastonbury and Somerton constituency is immensely exciting, with wonderful new inclusions stretching from world-famous Glastonbury in the north, along with Street and the brilliant Strode College, to Yeovilton in the south, home to the Royal Navy’s premier air base. And the new Frome constituency will not only include the fantastic town itself (and its surrounding villages) but take in far more of the Mendips – stretching from the blossoming market town of Bruton all the way to Radstock and Midsomer Norton in the north, and many other glorious villages almost touching Bath. It is an embarrassment of riches!”