Bonkers boundaries: Hempsted enters the Forest of Dean
VOTERS in Hempsted are the biggest losers in Gloucestershire's political boundary shake-up as it becomes the sacrificial lamb to keep Westgate in the city's constituency.
Boundary bosses were forced into a U-turn after political parties united to save Gloucester city centre from being swallowed up by the Forest of Dean.
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Paul James Andrew Hawkins Jeremy Hilton Rob Wallace Kate Haigh and Mark Owen
The carve-up of wards aims to reduce Westminster seats by 50 down to 600, but the changes won't effect local council representation for Hempsted residents.
News of Westgate remaining within the Gloucester seat has been widely welcomed, although the decision has come at a price with Hempsted being part of the new West Gloucestershire seat under the revised plans.
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A major campaign was launched against the initial proposals.
City council leader Paul James said: "I am pleased, but disappointed that people in Hempsted will not be part of the constituency.
"MP Richard Graham did a great job in getting the boundary commission to change its mind, but losing Hempsted was the price we had to pay for the rest of Westgate and the city – it was the least worst option, but a real coup. This is the best result for Gloucester."
The report by the Boundaries Commission stated only 'exceptional and compelling circumstances' would allow for wards to be split. Conservative city and county councillor Pam Tracey, who represents Westgate and Hempsted, called the whole review process 'diabolical'.
"Although we must thank those who have campaigned to stop the changes, I feel sorry for the people of Hempsted. This could put even more off voting in future," she said.
Under the review, the villages of Sandhurst, Norton, Twigworth, the Leigh, Deerhurst and Apperley under the Coombe Hill ward would move from the Tewkesbury constituency to the Forest of Dean.
But there is no certainty the revised plans will go ahead after the Liberal Democrats pulled their support for the move nationally .
Jeremy Hilton, leader of the Gloucester LibDems, said his party was unlikely to support it.
He added:"The proposal is academic if the boundary changes are voted down in parliament.
"It is disappointing for Hempsted, but at the same time important so many historical landmarks in Gloucester will remain."
Consultation on the changes runs until December 10.
Comments
by FreeRadical1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 6:42PM
“Yesterday (14th January) the Lords voted against the changes to parliamentary boundaries. This means that the changes won't come into effect till 2018 (if at all). Yet this website doesn't seem to have anything about the subject. TiG was really hot on the boundary issue last year - why not now?”
by Bonkim2003
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:19PM
“localboy51 understand your sentiments but a bit harsh on the Forest MP who I am sure will take a keen interest in Hempsted and its residents when the boundary changes come into effect. Change always causes uncertainty and raises concern. Equally the changes were needed to even out the electoral balance although unable to comment on the methodology adopted or the recommendations - assume all this came out of very serious deliberations and consultations.
Most of us live, work, go to school, or shop across local authority and Parliamentary constituency boundaries. Parts of the Forest of Dean are further away from its Geographic centre than Hempsted, also quite different in the nature of employment, industry or mindsets of residents. Old notions of 'local community' or 'Parliamentary constituency', and representation need updating in the era of fast communication via emails and telephone.
We lived in Quedgeley many years back when it was part of Stroud, today it is part of an expanding Gloucester; parts of Gloucester are parts of Tewkesbury or Cheltenham, it is often not quite clear where administrative boundaries start, some parts of Tewkesbury are already parts of the Forest of Dean Parliamentary constituency, and many parts of the Forest of Dean bordering on Wales have Welsh post codes, and telephone numbers.
Our notions of home identity are transient; a large proportion of people move out and new residents come in, change is the essence in every walk of life - so why not look at this as a welcome change, the Forest MP may be much more accessible to you than your present one..”
by Mike_Smith_Gl
Monday, October 22 2012, 4:58PM
“Of course all of this would be unnecessary if we axed all the MEPs by leaving the European Union and giving back the 650 MPs the work they should be doing!
It would save a heck of a lot more money too.”
by FreeRadical1
Monday, October 22 2012, 4:25PM
“Selina, the boundary commission is independent of the government.
localboy, Hempsted Residents' Association organised a public meeting about the proposed boundary changes on 26th November last year at Hempsted Village Hall. It was well advertised around the village and the poster was sent to everyone on the City Centre Community Partnership's email list, which is how I came to know about it. You can't claim that HRA didn't do their best to listen to people's views. I don't have your email address, so can't give you a copy of the submission that was sent to the boundary commission at the beginning of December last year, but if you speak to Richard or Don, I'm sure that they can let you see a copy. It was seven pages long and was submitted in conjunction with the City Centre Community Partnership.
As to your belief that Pam Tracey was on your side, I can only tell you that she, and all local Tories, officially gave their support to Richard Graham's suggestion, whatever she may be telling you now.”
by Mike_Smith_Gl
Sunday, October 21 2012, 10:36PM
“At last! some use for the Dim Lems, if only in a fit of pique because they couldn't get their own way over House of Lords "reform"!”
by Mike_Smith_Gl
Sunday, October 21 2012, 10:35PM
“At last! Some purpose for the Dim Lems, even if it was only a fit of pique because they couldn't get their own way over House of Lords "reform"!”
by SELINA30
Sunday, October 21 2012, 7:42PM
“Another government fiasco”
by localboy51
Sunday, October 21 2012, 5:32PM
“The Residents Association 'worked with the City Centre Community Partnership?' blah blah blah.
Do me a favour. They are self serving & they do absolutely nothing to help anyone in Hempsted if they do not form part of one of the numerous 'cliques' that exist in the village.
No one else receives any help or assistance from the HRA.
As for them coming up with an alternative solution - no solution needs to suggested. Hempsted was, is & always should be, part of Gloucester.
How much tea & cake did the HRA consume before up with an alternative. What alternative they come up with as i have seen no comment from them at all over this matter.
I think that everyone - Foresters included - would agree that to suddenly move Hempsted into the Forest is not only stupid but also ill thought out.
I would rather become part of Tewkesbury as at least Tewkesbury is close to Gloucester & can be reached with ease.
It is a very dumb idea - has anyone checked the statute books to see what, if any, covenants exist regarding the Hempsted area?
For all i know there might be an age old archaic law somewhere which forbids this kind of stupidity.
So Mr Graham earn your excessive public funded salary & gold plated pension & find something that makes it illegal to transfer us to the Forest or anywhere else for that matter.”
by tombardier
Sunday, October 21 2012, 12:36PM
“We (The Foresters), should've just invaded a small bit of Wales, or Hereford at least to make up the numbers! We don't want no 'Empsted!”
by tommadeit
Saturday, October 20 2012, 7:10PM
“Hey col down about Richard Graham - he has as much chance of retaining his seat as Scotland does of leaving the UK.”