Details of my advice surgeries are available here.
Knowsley constituency
Following the recommendations of the Boundary Commission in 2007, the 2010 general election saw the creation of a single Knowsley constituency that largely merged the old Knowsley North and Knowsley South seats. There is now only one constituency covering Knowsley, with some parts of the borough being incorporated into St Helens South and Garston.
The Knowsley constituency comprises Huyton, Kirkby, Knowsley Village, Stockbridge Village and the western part of Prescot. It covers greenbelt area, industrial and business parks as well as urban residential developments.
Of the remainder of the Borough, the Eastern part of Prescot and all of Whiston is now included in St. Helens South, while Halewood and Cronton are included in Garston. These new boundaries apply only to parliamentary constituencies and do not change existing local government boundaries.
Wards in Knowsley which are part of the seat include: Shevington, Park, Whitefield, Northwood, Cherryfield, Kirkby Central, Stockbridge and Prescot West.
The latest boundary change recommendations
In 2011, the Boundary Commission proposed the abolition of the Knowsley seat as part of its response to the Coalition Government's plan to reduce the number of MPs. That decision, together with the Commission's proposals for all Parliamentary seats has gone to consultation and the Commission is now considering how to respond.
I, as well as the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, oppose this change. It would deny the people of Knowsley a single elected representative and it also goes against the principles which should be guiding the Boundary Commission's recommendations. For example, the boundary changes are supposed to consider, wherever possible, continuity with existing representation, consistency with local authority boundaries and natural geography. By contrast, the current proposals would break the link with Knowsley Council and leave it represented by several MPs.
I hope the Boundary Commission will respond to the proposed changes by maintaining a Knowsley seat.
