Huge changes to local Parliamentary constituencies – Bersham and Rhostyllen to share an MP with… Machynlleth

The Boundary Commission for Wales has today published its Revised proposals for the new map of Parliamentary constituencies which look highly likely to come into force at the next ordinary general election.

As well as publishing its proposals, the Commission has opened a 4-week consultation period where the public can share their views on the proposed constituencies.

The Revised Proposals see changes to the majority of constituencies initially proposed by the Commission in September 2021, and changes are proposed to every existing constituency.

The plan for Wrexham is below that would see some significant changes:

The old Clwyd South gets deleted, and parts of Wrexham will share an MP with Machynlleth in a new “Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr” constituency, with Wrexham at the top right of this image:

The report today notes some of the local feedback, “The Commission received a number of representations, including from the MPs for Wrexham and Clwyd South, that stated that the electoral wards of Brymbo and Minera share local ties and community links with Wrexham, rather than with Alyn and Deeside to the north. These representations argued that these wards should not be included in this proposed constituency and should remain within a Wrexham constituency.”

“There was a consensus amongst the political parties that the electoral wards of Brymbo and Minera should be returned to a proposed Wrexham constituency. The Conservative Party also included the areas of Bagillt and Flint in an Alyn and Deeside constituency. Plaid Cymru split the area and included Flint in an Alyn and Deeside constituency, and Bagillt in a Delyn constituency. The Liberal Democrats proposed retaining the areas within a Delyn constituency.”

The report concludes, “Having considered the representations…. the Commission agrees with the representations that stated that the Brymbo and Minera electoral wards should be included in a Wrexham constituency, and the representations that stated that the areas of Bagillt and Flint share more local ties with the wards included in Alyn and Deeside”.

On the chopping off of the Rhostyllen and Johnstown areas into the new Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, “The Commission received representations that recommended adding the Ponciau, Pant and Johnstown electoral wards to the initial proposal, although many representations argued that this area has strong links with Wrexham.

“The Conservative Party proposed changes to the initial proposal and felt a desirable outcome could be achieved by splitting the electoral ward of Ponciau and placing the Rhosllanerchrugog and Ponciau elements of the ward in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, and the Esclusham element in Wrexham. There was support for the proposal, and representations stated that there is a clear divide between Rhosllanerchrugog and Esclusham so this would be a sensible way to split the area”.

On that new constituency the report concludes, “Having considered the representations… the Commission believes that there is significant support for retaining the existing Montgomeryshire constituency and combining it with wards to the north in Clwyd and on the outskirts of Wrexham. The Commission does not agree with the representations in favour of splitting the electoral ward of Ponciau and therefore proposes a constituency that takes in the whole of the Ponciau electoral ward.”

The Commission is now inviting comment on its proposals as it launches its final 4-week consultation period. Members of the public are encouraged to send in their views, whether they support or oppose the proposals.

The Commission has however stated that it has no power to set the number of MPs, which was decided by Parliament, and will not be able to consider arguments around the number of constituencies in Wales.

An online consultation portal at bcw-reviews.org.uk features the proposals in full, and members of the public can submit their views directly through the portal.

People can also take part in the consultation by emailing [email protected] or writing to The Commission in the post at Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Cardiff, CF24 0BL.

Writing in the foreword to the Revised Proposals report, Deputy Chair of the Commission Mrs Justice Jefford DBE said:

“The Commission received 1,367 written and 81 oral representations on the initial proposals.

“Public hearings were held across Wales to enable members of the public to express their views on the initial proposals and to suggest how they could be amended and improved.

“The Commission is extremely grateful to all those who took the time to contribute.

“As a result, the Commission has revised the initial proposals. It has proposed changes, often significant changes, to 22 of the 32 proposed constituencies.

“It has also proposed different names for 9 of the constituencies. There is now an opportunity to make representations on these revised proposals before the Commission makes its final report on proposed Parliamentary constituencies in Wales.”

Commenting on the publication of the Revised proposals, secretary to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ said, “I’m delighted to be publishing these proposals today.

“When the Commission published the Initial Proposals in September 2021, we asked for the public’s help in strengthening the new map of Welsh constituencies.

“Thanks to the record number of responses we’ve received, we have made changes, in some cases significant changes, to those initial proposals.

“There is now one more opportunity to affect the new map of Welsh constituencies, during our final 4-week consultation period.

“I would urge everyone, regardless of your views on the proposals, to let the Commission know.”

The Third Consultation Period opens on 19 October 2022 and closes on 15 November 2022.

Following the consultation period, the Commission will assess the representations received and submit its Final Recommendations to Parliament in July 2023.

The Commission say the Final Recommendations will come into effect automatically at the next scheduled General Election.

(Note copied from previous coverage which is still valid , “Note: Previously the Boundary Commission for Wales has spent thousands in an attempt to publicise this information, for the record Wrexham.com has covered it previously and today unpaid. Likewise, the Boundary Commission for Wales, nor their communications provider, has not asked.” A October 2022 addendum we will note that the Boundary Commission missed us off their distribution list entirely today – so much for wanting to engage and get local consultation responses! )