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The Boundary Commission has published its initial proposals for the 2023 review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies in NI.
Proposals if enacted would see the Newry and Armagh Constituency which presently has an electorate of 81,329 which is above the statutory range, being reduced to 74,585 with the removal of several wards.
The report explains that 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 South Down.
It's proposed that Abbey, Damolly and St Patrick’s which are presently split wards should be aligned totally within Newry and Armagh.
The present split wards of Derryleckagh, Mayobridge and Loughbrickland would be aligned within South Down.
The ward of Loughgall (which is split between Fermanagh & South Tyrone and Newry & Armagh) would be fully aligned with Fermanagh & South Tyrone. The whole ward of Blackwatertown would also been transferred from Newry & Armagh into Fermanagh & South Tyrone constituency.
Lastly it's proposed that the ward of Mahon, currently split between Newry & Armagh and Upper Bann will be aligned within Upper Bann.
An 8-week public consultation is now open for members of the public, political parties and wider civic society to share their views on the proposals.
Written representations must be received by the Commission by 15th December 2021 and can be submitted using the online portal, by email, or by post. These representations will be published online after the end of the initial consultation period. This will be followed in due course by further consultations, including public hearings, before final recommendations are made by 1st July 2023.
More information about the 2023 Review process can be found in the Guide to the 2023 Review which is available on the Commission’s website at 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 across Northern Ireland. Details about these can also be found on the Commission’s website, along with information about how to respond to the consultation.
