Boundary Commission for the Isle of Wight
Published 18:14 on 10 Nov 2022
As an Island, we are now one step closer to electing two MPs for the first time in 137 years. Currently the largest constituency in the UK with an electorate of 110,000, by the middle of next year, the Isle of Wight will instead be spilt into two of the smallest - Isle of Wight East and Isle of Wight West.
This week the Boundary Commission for England published its revised proposals for changes across the country, including the Isle of Wight. This followed extensive public consultation where interested groups and individuals could submit their preferred boundary lines.
You might think it should be relatively straightforward but the question of where to place the divide has been contentious. Taking the story back to 2011, there is a Seaview connection here, as village resident Lord Fowler was crucial in blocking an earlier proposal to unite areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight into one constituency - in order to make up the numbers.
In this more recent process, the decision was taken to allow special dispensation for two small Island constituencies. Bearing in mind the numbers - 56,805 for the East; 54,911 in the west - as opposed to the target of around 73,000, it's quite a concession and keeps the Island separate from the mainland.
As we are much more populous in the East, and rural in West, it isn't as easy as simply cutting it in half geographically. Proposals published last year used the River Medina as a starting point but then swept into the East, dividing Newport (unpopular) and meaning areas that culturally identify with Ryde, like Havenstreet and Ashey, found themselves in the West Wight. In short, it didn't make a lot of sense.
A number of political parties including the local Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens then submitted roughly the same approach, which is roughly in line with the new plans published this week. Looking at a map there's almost a straight line drawn down the Island, following the local wards, with Isle of Wight West accounting for around two thirds of the land mass. Ventnor stays in the East. Labour's calls for a North-South divide (which might have better served its electoral ambitions) were rejected.
The final consultation on these latest plans closes on December 5 and the Boundary Commission will form its final recommendations with a plan will be submitted to Parliament by July 1, 2023.
We are now starting to see political parties begin the process of selecting candidates on the basis of the East-West divide. For the Conservatives it's a little complex as there is an incumbent MP, Bob Seely (an occasional visitor to the Yacht Club, as it happens). The incumbent can 'lay claim' to either of the constituencies and ask to be automatically re-selected, though the rules do allow for a yes or no vote of party members on adopting the sitting MP. The boundary change effectively creates two seats for everybody to fight and win.
If members want to influence the choice of candidate, they should join their preferred party in the next month as some parties do have a minimum membership period.