THERE are concerns the current proposals to change parliamentary constituency boundaries will see three different MPs represent Stroud district residents.

The Boundary Commission for England is consulting on its revised proposals on the review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries.

Under the current proposals for Stroud the district would be split into three constituencies with three MPs when currently it is split into two.

The current Stroud constituency matches with the Stroud District Council area, with the exception of Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge and Minchinhampton wards forming part of the Cotswolds constituency.

Stroud News and Journal:

The latest plans are for Bisley, Hardwicke and Painswick and Upton wards to be transferred to the proposed North Cotswolds constituency.

The Wotton-under-Edge ward is to be transferred from the Cotswolds constituency to Stroud and the Kingswood ward to a new South Cotswolds constituency.

Council leader Catherine Braun (Green, Wotton-under-Edge) said she was pleased to see that the Chalford ward would be brought back into the Stroud constituency.

She is also pleased that Wotton-under-Edge and North Nibley would move into the Stroud constituency.

However, the SDC leader is concerned that the neighbouring ward of Kingswood would be moved into a new South Cotswolds constituency.

She said: “This would make the parishes of Kingswood, Alderley, Hillesley and Tresham the only communities from Stroud District in this South Cotswolds constituency.

"I cannot see how residents could feel well represented by an MP who would be more focused on North Wiltshire and the Cotswolds.”

Conservative group leader Stephen Davies (Severn) said the changes for Stroud are 'unfortunate'.

“Of the suggested changes the most unfortunate is moving Hardwicke ward to the Cotswold constituency which seems a strange geographic fit.

“A move to the Gloucester constituency would make more sense although I know it would not be popular with Hardwicke residents either.

"I made this case personally to the Boundary Commission.”

Community Independents leader Doina Cornell (Dursley) said her group was overall in favour of the proposals which maintain the integrity of Stroud constituency as it keeps all the market towns together with their cultural, economic and geographical links.

However, they support the suggestion to amend the current counter proposals so as to only have two constituencies within the district.

To comment on the proposals, visit bit.ly/3VDBNj5– the deadline is December 5.