EAST Hampshire residents are being asked for their views as proposals to change MPs constituency boundaries are made public.
Locally it’s being proposed that the Meon Valley constituency of George Hollingberry will disappear, and that East MP Damian Hinds will have a bigger area to represent.
Mr Hinds, a Minister for State at the Department of Work and Pensions, said: “The Boundary Commission’s remit is to make sure constituencies represent the electorate in a fair way, and there are interactions between what is proposed for one part of the area and another.
“On the Commission’s initial proposals, the constituency of East Hampshire would be expanded south to include seven additional wards, including Horndean.
“Alton would be represented as part of a re-shaped North East Hampshire constituency. We have of course only just seen the proposals and there will be various arguments made about how communities fit together and about the interaction of parliamentary and other boundaries.
“A public consultation has started, and it is important to remember that the proposals may change, and also that right now nothing has changed in terms of who represents you in Parliament."
Mr Hollingbery said that although he was disappointed with the proposal to scrap his constituency, it was in the best interests of democracy.
He said: "These changes to constituency boundaries mean everyone’s vote should carry the same weight in future parliamentary elections. This is clearly in the best interests of democracy, so I welcome it wholeheartedly.
"Of course, I’m deeply disappointed my constituency will cease to exist because I very much love representing Meon Valley: a place full of great people, places, businesses and natural beauty tucked into the heart of Hampshire.
"But, until the change, I promise I will continue to do the best I can to represent residents and to help them with their problems and issues."
For details about the proposal and how to respond, as well as details of public hearings, visit the website www.bce2018.org.uk