Islwyn could lose Member of Parliament under shake-up

The Parliamentary constituency of Islwyn could be wiped off the political map in a shake-up to reduce the number of MPs.

Under plans by the Boundary Commission for Wales, the number of MPs across the UK will fall from 650 to 600.
Wales will see a reduction of 11 Members of Parliament from 40 to 29.

The changes will not affect seats in the National Assembly for Wales.

For the UK Parliament, Islwyn will be carved up with its areas being absorbed by the existing constituencies of Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, and Blaenau Gwent.

Initial proposals by the Boundary Commission place the northern half of the constituency, including the communities of Argoed, Crumlin, Newbridge, Blackwood, Pengam, Penmaen and Oakdale into Blaenau Gwent. The southern Islwyn communities including Risca, Crosskeys, Ynysddu, Pontllanfraith and Maesycwmmer become part of a newly-formed Caerphilly seat. Aberbargoed will become part of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

Caerphilly will lose Nelson, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed and Bargoed, to Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

The current Islwyn MP, Labour’s Chris Evans, was elected in 2010 and has vowed to fight the planned changes.
He said: “It is extremely disappointing that once again a boundary review has proposed that the community of Islwyn should be split in half despite being represented together in Parliament for almost 100 years.

“Many of the reformed constituencies make very little geographical sense and the majority of my constituents will be unhappy with these plans.

“The rationale behind the reduction in number of MPs was to make cost savings yet the Government is stuffing the Lords to the rafters with Cameron’s cronies at further expense.

“Meanwhile, the spectre of Brexit means we are living in a time of political uncertainty, losing 72 MEPs, so the question must be asked: Do we really need a boundary review at this time, and the further political uncertainty which will come from it?

“This is only an initial proposal and I will do everything I can to fight for the community to be represented together as one in Parliament.”

The constituency of Islwyn was created after the 1983 boundary review and forms the majority of the former Bedwellty constituency which itself was created in 1918.

The publication of the changes marks the beginning of a 12-week public consultation.

The shake-up is the largest in Wales since the Boundary Commission was formed in 1944 and is part of the The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011.

The Act requires that every UK constituency has an electorate within the range of 71,031 to 78,507 voters.

Steve Halsall, Secretary to the Commission, said the commission had sought to identify the solutions most suitable to local needs within Wales.

He said: “Over the next 12 weeks people may visit our consultation portal, write in or email us to let us know what they think of the Commission’s proposals. Whether they accept or object, we are keen to hear people’s views.

“Where they object, particularly where they can supply counter-proposals, the Commission will give full consideration and may amend its proposals accordingly.”

A consultation event is being held in Cardiff at the Mercure Holland House on November 2 and 3.
Voters wanting to speak at the event need to contact the Commission on bcomm.wales@wales.gsi.gov.uk or by calling 029 2046 4819.

The Commission’s final proposals will be submitted by October 2018.

Full details are available at www.bcomm-wales.gov.uk.