Boundary Commission Proposals and Folkestone and Hythe

The Boundary Commission for England have released their proposals for redrawing Parliamentary constituency boundaries. The Commission is working to a remit to reduce the total number of MPs from 650 to 600 and make the size of constituencies more uniform.

For Folkestone and Hythe, the proposals are to move North Downs East (Hawkinge, Paddlesworth, Densole, Acrise, Selsted, Swingfield) and Elham & Stelling Minnis wards to Dover constituency. The proposed changes to Folkestone and Hythe are less than a number in Kent, where one seat (Faversham and Mid Kent) is proposed to be split up entirely, and a number of others significantly redrawn.

Folkestone West Lib Dem County Councillor Tim Prater commented:

"Clearly the Liberal Democrats in Kent will be looking at these proposals and making our comments in full soon, but for Folkestone and Hythe it seems odd that at the last boundary review the constituency gained Saxon Shore ward from Ashford because the seat was deemed to small. Now the constituency is seen as too big, and instead of transferring Saxon Shore back, the proposal is instead going to transfer two wards to Dover.

"Folkestone and Hythe constituency will be in the position of having most wards in Shepway District Council and one from Ashford Borough Council, while Shepway District Council will have most wards in Folkestone and Hythe Parliamentary Constituency and two in Dover!"