Guildford Parliamentary Constituency Boundary – Change Proposed

Published on: 17 Oct, 2012
Updated on: 22 Oct, 2012

The Guildford parliamentary constituency will gain several areas to the east of Guildford but lose areas to the south, including Cranleigh, if proposals announced by the Boundary Commission are accepted. The number of electors within the constituency would reduce from 77,517 to 75,321.

Under the proposals the number of constituencies in Surrey would stay the same. In summary, the new Guildford constituency would gain the following wards: Lovelace; Send; Clandon and Horsley and lose the following wards: Alfold, Cranleigh Rural and Ellens Green; Blackheath and Wonersh; Cranleigh East; Cranleigh West; Ewhurst; Shamley Green and Cranleigh North. These are all the Waverley Borough wards previously in the Guildford constituency which would go to a new Mid Surrey constituency, based on the existing Mole Valley constituency.

Anne Milton MP

Anne Milton, the MP for Guildford, said, “I know that for people in both Guildford and Mole Valley constituencies these changes are quite radical. I am pleased for the people of Pilgrims who, it is proposed will now stay in Guildford constituency although I would be very sad to see Cranleigh and the surrounding villages go. I hope everyone will take the time to respond to the consultation which, even when finalised, will need to be voted through Parliament.”

The Boundary Commission is currently conducting a review based on new rules laid down by Parliament. These rules involve a significant reduction in the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 502. However in the South East, because of the population density, the number of constituencies will only reduce by one, to 83.

The rules require that constituencies, almost without exception, must have an electorate that is no smaller than 72,810 and no larger than 80,473. The changes will affect more Wales and Scotland where the overall number of constituencies will reduce significantly.

The Border Commission’s publicity states: “We are consulting on our revised proposals for an eight-week period, from 16 October 2012 to 10 December 2012. We encourage everyone to use this final opportunity to contribute to the design of the new constituencies – the more public views we hear, the more informed our decisions will be before we make recommendations to the Government.

“We ask everyone wishing to contribute to the design of the new constituencies to first look at the revised proposals report, and accompanying maps, before responding to us.

“You can find more details of the review and how to respond on our website, or you can write to us direct or email southeast@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk”