Campaigners Celebrate After SW19 Boundary Recommendation
Controversial proposals for MP's seat revised
Campaigners protesting against plans to redraw the political map around Wimbledon are celebrating after Boundary Commissioners revised their controversial proposals.
They had unveiled plans to move wards covering Wimbledon town centre into an enlarged Mitcham constituency as part of a review of MPs' seats across England.
But around 600 residents registered their objection to Wimbledon's Trinity and Abbey wards moving into the Mitcham constituency.
Now the Boundary Commission has changed its plans and proposed the current Wimbledon seat held by Stephen Hammond (left) is expanded and re-named Wimbledon and Coombe.
The plans, which have been devised after David Cameron pledged to cut the number of English MPs from 553 to 502, will have to be approved by Parliament.
In the rest of the proposals, the Wimbledon Park ward would move into an enlarged Putney constituency, and the Mitcham and Morden constituency would gain Furzedown ward from Tooting.
Councillor Henry Nelless, Deputy Leader of Merton's Conservative Group and Abbey ward councillor, said: "We are all really pleased that the Boundary Commission has listened to the proposed alternative which was developed by Abbey resident Robert Giles. The case to return both wards to the Wimbledon constituency was very strong and I would personally like to thank Robert for his work."
Councillor Krystal Miller, Conservative councillor for Trinity ward said: "It was always odd that a large part of Wimbledon town centre and local landmarks such as Wimbledon Station, Wimbledon Theatre and Wimbledon Leisure Centre were going to be put into the Mitcham constituency. Thanks to the 600 local residents who helped with this campaign by collecting petitions or writing letters. This a great reward for their hard work."
The official consultation on the revised proposals is now open for comments until December 10 at: consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.
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December 2, 2012