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Proposals by the Boundary Commission would see changes with split ward alignments in South Down as well as Ballynahinch and Strangford being transferred to the constituency.
The proposals were published today as part of the 2023 review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies in NI.
Presently South Down has an electorate of 79,295 which is above the statutory range, and proposals would see the constituency of South Down with an electorate of 72,352.
78.The existing constituency of South Down has an electorate of 79,295, which is above the statutory range. It is limited in where it can shed electorate to, given special geographical considerations (in particular the location of built-up areas) and the above-range electorates in the other adjacent constituencies of Upper Bann and Newry and Armagh.
The proposals would see the following split wards be aligned within other adjacent constituencies (in which they are already partially located): Abbey, Damolly, St Patrick’s (within Newry and Armagh), Dromara (within Lagan Valley), Crossgar & Killyleagh and Derryboy (within Strangford) and Banbridge East (within Upper Bann). In addition, the following whole wards which make up Downpatrick and its hinterland have been transferred from South Down to under-range Strangford constituency: Cathedral, Knocknashinna, Lecale, Strangford, and Quoile.
Additionally the following split wards would be aligned fully within South Down: Ballyward, Derryleckagh, Gransha, Loughbrickland and Mayobridge.
In addition, the whole wards of Ballynahinch and Kilmore have been transferred from Strangford to South Down constituency.
For more information about the 2023 Review process see WWW.BOUNDARYCOMMISSION.ORG.UK
The proposals are available to view on the Commission’s website at BOUNDARYCOMMISSION and at public display points situated in various local libraries and local Council offices.
