MEMBERS of the public can now book slots to speak at public hearings about the significant changes planned for Wiltshire’s electoral makeup for the 2023 general election.

On June 8, 2021 the Boundary Commission published proposals which it says will make Parliament fairer and would even out the number of voters for each constituency.

Now the public are being invited to take part in the secondary consultation on the proposals which will take place across the country between February 22 and April 4.

The nearest of these public meetings will take place in Bath on March 28 and 29, as well as Gloucester on March 24 and 25.

Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, Tim Bowden, said: “The Boundary Commission for England is redrawing the map of constituencies in England so that it represents local communities as best as possible, while keeping to the legal requirements - and you can help us. We received a fantastic number of responses during our first consultation – over 34,000 – and we want as many people as possible to get involved in our upcoming secondary consultation."

“Between 22 February and 4 April, we want you to tell us your thoughts on our proposed new map of constituencies. You can provide feedback in person at a public hearing in your region, or in writing via our consultation website bcereviews.org.uk, letter, or email. Booking is now open for speaking slots at our 32 public hearings across the country, and we’re looking forward to hearing your views."

This does mean redrawing and renaming some seats – and in Wiltshire there are some big shakeups of county constituencies (CC).

Devizes, the seat currently held by Danny Kruger, will be significantly altered by the time of the next general election.

Much of what was the Devizes constituency will be encompassed in the new East Wiltshire seat.

Under the current proposals, Devizes would instead become part of a Melksham & Devizes constituency area alongside Corsham, Bradford on Avon and Melksham.

The county constituency also takes over a lot of wards previously held within the Chippenham area.

Meanwhile, the proposed redraw of the Chippenham constituency proposed to take over Bromham, Rowde and Roundway from the previous Devizes CC.

The area would also comprise of Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett wards.

Some parts of North Wiltshire will also form the makeup of the Cirencester and North Wiltshire CC including areas such as Malmesbury, Brinkworth and Cricklade.

South West Wiltshire would keep much of its former makeup but will be renamed to the Trowbridge and Warminster CC.

To sign up for these meetings please click here.

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