Voters have voiced their opinion to planned changes to the electoral map of Wales.
The Boundary Commission for Wales has published responses to its consultation to cut the number of Welsh MPs from 40 to 30.
The proposals are part of a UK-wide overhaul to cut the total number of MPs to 600 from 650.
The changes would mean the area of Caerphilly County Borough would have four Members of Parliament instead of the current three.
The Boundary Commission for Wales has published the responses on its website at www.bcomm-wales.gov.uk
Caerphilly, currently represented by Labour’s Wayne David would mostly be merged into Cardiff North to create Caerphilly and Cardiff North, while Islwyn, currently held by Labour’s Chris Evans, would be split in two and merged with neighbouring constituencies of Newport West and Blaenau Gwent.
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney would largely remain intact, but have the addition of some wards from the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.
The Boundary Commission for Wales received more than 500 written responses during the initial consultation period between January and April this year. More than 100 individuals also spoke at five public hearings held across Wales and many others signed petitions in relation to specific areas of the Commission’s proposals.
Ben Whitestone, Secretary to the Commission, said: “The Commission’s initial consultation phase was very interesting, thought provoking and useful and this second period of consultation will also be important. In the light of submissions and counter-proposals made, the Commission will consider changes to its proposals. We really want people to get in touch and let us know what they think.”
Voters can still express their views on the changes until July 10 at www.bcomm-wales.gov.uk.
The Commission’s final proposals will be submitted to the United Kingdom Government by October 2013.
Some of the views of voters on the planned changes
Huw Thomas, Bargoed
“The Caerphilly constituency has been slashed to pieces and replaced with this horrendous alien amalgam.”
Martin Rees, area not given
“I think the proposed Caerphilly/North Cardiff Constituency is ill-conceived. To bring these areas together purely on the basis of satisfactory boundaries with similar populations ignores their long-standing difference in history, culture, outlook, accent and clear geographical separation.”
Helen Price, area not given
“I was overjoyed this morning when I heard on the radio that there is to be a new Parliamentary Constituency for the Sirhowy Valley.
“However, after looking at the maps, I was disappointed to see that Pontllanfraith and Ynysddu would be the only towns from the Sirhowy Valley included in the new Parliamentary Constituency.
“Do you even know where the Sirhowy Valley is?”
More can be read at www.bcomm-wales.gov.uk
Caerphilly County Borough wards that would be represented by Newport West and Sirhowy
The wards of Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Bargoed, Crosskeys, Gilfach, Hengoed, Llanbradach, Maesycwmmer, Nelson, Pengam, Pontllanfraith, Risca East, Risca West, St. Cattwg, Ynysddu and Ystrad Mynach.
Caerphilly County Borough wards that would be represented by Caerphilly and North Cardiff
Aber Valley, Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol, St. James and St. Martins would be included in Caerphilly and North Cardiff.
Caerphilly County Borough wards that would be represented by Blaenau Gwent
Argoed, Blackwood, Cefn Fforest, Crumlin, Newbridge and Penmaen.
Caerphilly County Borough wards that would be represented by Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Darran Valley, Moriah, New Tredegar, Pontlottyn and Twyn Carno
It will be difficult winning this battle. But we may have something in Caerffili being ENTIRELY different from Cardiff. One senses that even the commission reckons it has gone too far.
I think the battle was lost long ago when Caerffili, for most purposes, became part of Gwent. How those in charge allowed this to happen is beyond belief. The Rhymney river is a very ancient boundary and no account was taken of this.
Thus we have Gwent police, Gwent Court Service and are considered part of the Gwent health set up. The latter means that many are forced to go to Newport for health care, rather than the Heath.
I am certain that these changes will go through but changing where I live to Cardiff North will have little impact compared to the damage already done.
The Article says: Caerphilly County Borough wards that would be represented by Caerphilly and North Cardiff
Aber Valley, Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol, St. James and St. Martins would be included in Caerphilly and North Cardiff.
Constituency profile: Cardiff North
Apr 20 2010 by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail
A seat made up of Cardiff’s more affluent suburbs, this is one of the few Welsh seats that provides a reliable guide to UK-wide electoral trends. Recently held by the Conservatives.
Caerphilly wards potentially represented by a Tory?? God forbid.
Don’t be concerned, about the seat becoming Tory, Trefor. Cardiff North is very much a Tory marginal. Jonathan Evans (Conservative) won by just 194 votes in 2010.
With the inclusion of South Caerffili wards into the constituency it is almost certain that a Labour MP will be returned . I think that Wayne David views an election tussle with some confidence. It would take a remarkable Conservative candidate to take this new seat.
Personally I believe this is a wonderful idea,the middle-class in Caerphilly which are now becoming scarcer, have no voice due to the chavs we shall finally be able to project their(Conservative) views alongside people from Cardiff without having abuse hurled from "Plaid-Cymru" supporters from the likes of Bargoed.