The Boundary Commission for Scotland has published its latest set of proposals for changes to Westminster constituencies in Scotland.
The UK Government promised to launch a review to ensure fair and equal representation for voters across the UK. Constituencies are currently based on data which is over 20 years old. The proposals would see the number of MPs at Westminster fall from 650 to 600 and would result in 6 fewer Scottish seats.
The Boundary Commission published initial proposals in October 2016.
These latest proposals would see the constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk retain its existing boundary, with the addition of part of the Tweeddale East Scottish Borders Council ward. This will bring in an additional 4,000 voters into the constituency, from Innerleithen and the surrounding area. Voters in Cardrona and Peebles will be part of a new constituency, called Midlothian and Upper Tweeddale.
The proposals now go to public consultation, before the Commission makes final recommendations to the UK Government in September 2018. Any changes to boundaries must be approved by a Westminster vote.
Local MP John Lamont has said the public consultation must take its course, but has welcomed the fact that most of the Scottish Borders has been retained in one Parliamentary seat.
John Lamont MP said: “It is perfectly reasonable for the independent Boundary Commission to look at refreshing the Westminster constituencies, which have remained largely unchanged for nearly 20 years.
“It is now for the public to have their say on these proposals and I’d encourage Borderers to take a look at them.
“I am pleased however that the Borders remains largely in the same Parliamentary constituency. While parts of Tweeddale will be in a new seat, the majority of the Borders will be represented by one MP. Our area is linked by common traditions and it makes sense to have one MP representing this community in Westminster."
The proposals can be found here: http://www.bcomm-scotland.independent.gov.uk/2018_Westminster/revised_proposals/index.asp