New constituency boundary proposals - here's what you think...

Constituencies in North Lincolnshire are set to change under new boundary proposals.
MP Andrew PercyMP Andrew Percy
MP Andrew Percy

Constituencies in North Lincolnshire are set to change under new boundary proposals.

Under the Boundary Commission for England’s plans, the constituency of Brigg and Goole, which includes the Isle of Axholme, would be split.

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The Brigg area would fall into a new constituency of Great Grimsby North and Barton, while the Isle would become part of a renamed Goole and Axholme constituency.

Officials at the commission were tasked with reviewing the parliamentary boundaries after new rules were set by Parliament.

Under the new rules, the number of constituencies in England would be reduced from 533 to 501 with the number in the Yorkshire and Humber region being reduced from 54 to 50.

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, said: “Sad though I am that the boundary changes will divide up my constituency three ways, the current system is not fair as it does not divide the country up equally based on population. This means that the votes of people in some constituencies are worth more than in others. For fairness, MPs should represent roughly the same number of residents, regardless of where they are in the country.

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“The original name for the constituency that will include the Isle was simply ‘Goole’. I objected to this following the publication of the first draft on the proposals. I suggested that the seat should be named ‘Goole and the Isle of Axholme’. The boundary commissioners have agreed that the name was not right and are now proposing ‘Goole and Axholme’ to be the name for the new constituency.”

Our followers on Facebook had this to say about the plans.

Ann Parkin: “Since when has the Isle of Axholme had any real connection to Goole, the Isle is in Lincolnshire more connection to Scunthorpe and Gainsborough.”

Claire Cooper: “Less MPs sounds good but keep the Isle as a whole linked to somewhere. We are a strong community with a lot going for us but as all rural areas find we have a very small voice and don’t need it diluting.”

Paul Johnson: “Fewer constituencies means less representation, which is not a good thing.”

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Diane Flear: “Waste of money for all new signs, paperwork etc.”

Anita Marsh Neé Farrell: “As if we are connected to Goole! Why not focus on doing real work rather than messing about with the Isle?! I agree about the votes with everyone else. It’s ridiculous.”

Matt Senior: “It’s gerrymandering. Whomever you vote for, this is about creating more safe seats for one party.”

Linda Lancaster: “Trying to water down the strong labour vote in Goole with the strong Tory vote on the Isle.

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“They plan to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 (apparently to save money) and to do that they are changing the boundaries to make the constituencies more even based on the number of voters. So rural areas will be bigger and city areas smaller.”

Katie McGinley: “I’m definitely in agreement with cutting the number of MPs, as the costs incurred by our democratic system are too excessive. I’d also like to see the abolition of second homes in the capital and instead have the government design hotel-type rooms within the commons for MPs to utilise as part of their extensive (and expensive) renovations.

“As for the boundary changes, the Isle has as little to do with Goole as it did with Brigg: neither configuration makes much sense and personally I’d prefer to see the Isle absorbed into the Scunthorpe constituency.”