Boundaries re-drawn again in bid to shake-up district political map (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Boundaries re-drawn again in bid to shake-up district political map
7:00am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News
Queensbury would become part of the Halifax constituency in the planned shake-up
Plans to rip up the political map of Bradford in an attempt to reduce the number of MPs across the country would see EIGHT politicians representing voters across the district – instead of five.
There was outcry last year when the Boundary Commission published its first proposals to carve up the electorate and wipe out the Shipley constituency and have four main MPs with other parts of the district being covered by Calder Valley and Yeadon.
But yesterday’s new proposals go further and create four main Bradford seats but also places parts of the district in four other areas across West Yorkshire.
The re-drawing of the map would create four constituencies named Bradford Central, Bradford East and Horsforth, Keighley and Shipley.
The remaining parts of the district are split between another four MPs, with Wyke and Royds being represented by Spen Valley, Tong being grouped with Leeds West, Pudsey and Tong, Wharfedale moved into Otley constituency and Queensbury represented by a Halifax MP – creating eight MPs representing Bradford.
The controversial proposals also might never happen as Liberal Democrats MPs have pledged to scupper the changes, as revenge for the demise of their Lords Reform hopes.
But David Cameron has vowed to hold a Commons vote, and the Boundary Commission is legally bound to carry on with the project – which will end up costing taxpayers £15 million.
Mr Cameron wants equal-sized constituencies and the number of MPs reduced from 650 to 600.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg slapped down Tory co-chairman Grant Shapps over suggestions that a deal over party funding could save plans to re-draw constituency boundaries.
The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that all Liberal Democrat MPs would vote against the proposals to cut 50 MPs from the Commons.
It comes after Mr Shapps said the Tories had not given up hope of securing the constituency changes which could boost their chances of victory in the next general election.
Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe (Lab), Bradford East MP David Ward (Lib Dem), Bradford West MP George Galloway (Respect) and Shipley MP Philip Davies (Con) will vote against changing the current status quo.
Keighley MP Kris Hopkins (Con) supports the changes.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “These proposals are a completely arbitrary attempt to gerrymander constituencies to benefit the Tories.
“It is scandalous that a city the size of Bradford, with a growing population, is losing a whole constituency.
“Bradford South has existed as a parliamentary constituency since 1918 but the Government is scattering people in Bradford South into Leeds, Batley and Halifax. It’s ludicrous.
“Labour will be campaigning against these proposals and we will be calling on Nick Clegg and the Lib-Dems to keep their word and join with us to defeat these unnecessary and costly proposals.”
Mr Ward said: “I have argued against the changes and chopping up the natural boundaries and my position has not changed.
“The electorate is being treated as blocks rather than communities. Politically the changes could benefit me but that is not what is important. I will not for a second be voting for boundary changes.”
Shipley is now included in the latest plans but is significantly different to the current ward make up of the constituency.
Mr Davies said: “I am genuinely delighted that the Boundary Commission listened to the recommendations that we made in relation to Shipley and I am delighted that they have come to the conclusion that a Shipley constituency which has a great deal of history should be retained.
“I am delighted that they have agreed that Shipley, Windhill and Baildon wards should stay together but disappointed they did not feel Bingley and Bingley Rural Ward shall stay together. I am perfectly clear, the existing boundaries are far better and I will vote to retain the existing boundaries when the votes takes place next year.”
Mr Galloway said the changes would not happen.
He said: “I’m committed to fighting again in Bradford at the next election and while the prospect of a new Bradford Central constituency is interesting it isn’t going to happen, unless Nick Clegg performs a policy backflip even more outrageous than that on student fees.
“No doubt there will be Tory blandishments and inducements. Clegg and the Lib Dems have sold the jerseys on just about everything that matters – on the devastation of welfare and public services, the austerity measures which are killing growth and hiking unemployment – so it isn’t beyond them. But if they did that then it would be suicidal and there wouldn’t be enough of them left in parliament to raise a first 11, far less coalesce with any other party”
But Mr Hopkins believes all MPs should support the changes and have a duty to ensure the “scarce public resources are not frittered away.”
He said: “I am very pleased that Worth Valley is back in its natural home of Keighley as a result of the changes. I received a lot of correspondence from local residents on this matter and I made my own submission to the Boundary Commission making clear that the proposal to move the ward to Calder Valley was ill-conceived. Credit to the Commission for listening to reason.
“A significant amount of public money has already been spent in an effort to equalise constituency numbers across the country, making sure everyone’s vote counts equally. There will also be a reduction in the number of MPs from 650 to 600. As democrats, I believe that not just the Liberal Democrats but politicians in all parties have a duty to ensure that these improvements are made and scare public resources are not frittered away.
“If they fail to do so, I have no doubt that a majority Conservative Government will see the process through in 2015 when a new Parliament is elected.”
Bradford Councillor, Vanda Greenwood, who is chairman of Shipley Labour Party, said she was “delighted” that the Shipley constituency would be spared under the new proposals.
However, she also accused the Conservatives of seeking to “gerrymander” the political map in their favour.
Coun Greenwood (Windhill & Wrose] said: “Shipley is unique. We have got the Saltaire World Heritage Site and the place has its own identity. I have lived in Shipley all my life and I don’t think they should have ever considered abolishing the constituency.
“It is gerrymandering of the worst kind for the Tories.”
Conservative Councillor Michael Ellis, whose Bingley Rural ward would be shifted from the Shipley constituency to Keighley under the proposals, questioned why Fairweather Green and Clayton would be included in a new Shipley constituency.
He said: “Bingley Rural is probably the strongest Conservative ward in Bradford and, wherever it moved, it would have an effect on the vote.
“It moving to Keighley would certainly upset the Shipley constituency, where Philip Davies got in last time with a 10,000 majority. Whilst it is to be welcomed that the boundary commission is not doing away with Shipley, they seem to be mixing it up with places like Thornton and Fairweather Green to which it does not have a natural affinity.”
There will be a further round of consultations by the commission before the proposals have to be submitted to Parliament next October.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said taxpayers’ money was being wasted carrying out the boundary review now that the Lib Dems had withdrawn their backing.
At A Glance Guide To The Proposals
Under its revised proposals, the Boundary Commission suggests the district should be be represented by eight MPs with four main Bradford constituencies, Bradford Central, Bradford East and Horsforth, Shipley and Keighley. The size of the constituencies and the Council wards they contain are as follows:
Bradford Central 74,104
Bowling and Barkerend 11,258;
City 9,891; Great Horton 10,905;
Little Horton 10,457; Manningham 10,678; Toller 11,050; Wibsey 9,865
Bradford East and Horsforth 80,005
Bolton and Undercliffe Bradford 11,029; Bradford Moor Bradford 11,395; Eccleshill Bradford 10,865; Idle and Thackley Bradford 11,714; Calverley and Farsley 17,515; Horsforth 17,487
Shipley 77,736
Baildon 11,452; Bingley 13,205; Clayton and Fairweather Green 10,868; Heaton 10,133; Shipley 10,695; Thornton and Allerton 10,805; Windhill and Wrose 10,578
Keighley 80,058
Bingley Rural 13,087; Craven 12,213; Ilkley 11,224; Keighley Central 11,163; Keighley East 11,588; Keighley West 10,479; Worth Valley 10,304
In addition:
- Two Bradford Council wards, Wyke and Royds, become part of the Spen Valley constituency;
- Queensbury becomes part of the Halifax constituency;
- Tong becomes part of Leeds West which also includes Pudsey
- Wharfdale becomes part of the new Otley constituency.
Comments(37)
johnhem
says...
10:27am Wed 17 Oct 12
the only time you find out you have an mp is when election time comes around again.
Michael Manus
says...
10:38am Wed 17 Oct 12
Mike Strutter wrote:My thoughts exactly...but in reality we don't have a cat in hells chance of this happening look at all the households in Queensbury which pay council tax compared to other areas with high benefit claimants. There is no way they will let Queensbury fall into the hands of Calderdale Council. A great shame indeed!
Slow with the news as usual.
I got all excited yesterday when the Courier reported this story yesterday at 3pm with the headline "Queensbury to become part of Halifax"
I thought that for the first time since 1974 we would be breaking away from Bradford council but was given false hope !!
Shame
angry bradfordian
says...
10:45am Wed 17 Oct 12
From the report I heard this morning, it's actually a legal process that the Boundary Commission produce a report every 5 years, but that's a small detail if you're the Justice Secretary!
Do the Labour Party think everybody will forget that they carried out a similar exercise in their 1st term.
They've probably got no interest in passing the bill when the Tories need 8% more of the vote to get a majority.
nowt fresh
says...
11:39am Wed 17 Oct 12
angry bradfordian wrote:"They've probably got no interest in passing the bill when the Tories need 8% more of the vote to get a majority"
"Labour’s shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said taxpayers’ money was being wasted carrying out the boundary review now that the Lib Dems had withdrawn their backing." From the report I heard this morning, it's actually a legal process that the Boundary Commission produce a report every 5 years, but that's a small detail if you're the Justice Secretary! Do the Labour Party think everybody will forget that they carried out a similar exercise in their 1st term. They've probably got no interest in passing the bill when the Tories need 8% more of the vote to get a majority.
Are you for real ? do Turkeys vote for Christmas were taking politics here, Labour had a big enough majority to do it in their 1st term the Tories don't hence they need support from other parties who are not going to weaken their political support !!.
BigFigure
says...
11:57am Wed 17 Oct 12
Mike Strutter wrote:you could always move...
Slow with the news as usual.
I got all excited yesterday when the Courier reported this story yesterday at 3pm with the headline "Queensbury to become part of Halifax"
I thought that for the first time since 1974 we would be breaking away from Bradford council but was given false hope !!
Shame
scottie dog
says...
12:22pm Wed 17 Oct 12
thelastmanstanding
says...
1:45pm Wed 17 Oct 12
BertSanders
says...
2:04pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
3:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Albion.
says...
3:38pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:It was a big sickener when all the local councils were swallowed up by the creation of Bradford Met.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
BierleyBoy
says...
3:53pm Wed 17 Oct 12
The sooner these changes come in the better.
nowt fresh
says...
4:14pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
wobbley-bob
says...
4:15pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Michael Manus wrote:How do you know who pays Council tax & who doesn't?
Mike Strutter wrote:My thoughts exactly...but in reality we don't have a cat in hells chance of this happening look at all the households in Queensbury which pay council tax compared to other areas with high benefit claimants. There is no way they will let Queensbury fall into the hands of Calderdale Council. A great shame indeed!
Slow with the news as usual.
I got all excited yesterday when the Courier reported this story yesterday at 3pm with the headline "Queensbury to become part of Halifax"
I thought that for the first time since 1974 we would be breaking away from Bradford council but was given false hope !!
Shame
How do you know who's on benefits & who isn't?
As someone said to Strutter ....You can always move to Halifax...What's stopping you?
Yorkshire Lass
says...
4:23pm Wed 17 Oct 12
tinytoonster
says...
4:28pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
you can't polish a turd as they say..
A Casual Observer
says...
4:32pm Wed 17 Oct 12
tinytoonster
says...
4:32pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Yorkshire Lass wrote:that should not affect insurance, its usually postcode based so you will still be bd6.
Poor Wibsey residents now will be in the same areas of some of the high risk insurance quotes. Surely, things cannot get any worse. In fact soon will in part of some of the most segregated areas. What is Gerry Sutcliffe going to do about that? This is not a racist thing just a matter of fact comment on the proposals.
tinytoonster
says...
4:34pm Wed 17 Oct 12
A Casual Observer wrote:read comments 1st, labour did the same thing in 1st term!! double yawn.......
The Tories up to their old tricks again, gerrymandering at the expense of democracy and the taxpayer. But I suppose the usual Nazis on here will somehow find a way to blame it all on the poor as usual (yawn).
nowt fresh
says...
4:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
tinytoonster wrote:Been said above "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT" move out of the area, simple really.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas. you can't polish a turd as they say..
nowt fresh
says...
4:39pm Wed 17 Oct 12
tinytoonster wrote:And as I said in reply Labour had a very healthy majority in their 1st term, these clowns are relying on other party's support keep up !!.
A Casual Observer wrote: The Tories up to their old tricks again, gerrymandering at the expense of democracy and the taxpayer. But I suppose the usual Nazis on here will somehow find a way to blame it all on the poor as usual (yawn).read comments 1st, labour did the same thing in 1st term!! double yawn.......
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
4:50pm Wed 17 Oct 12
nowt fresh wrote:Many of the outer areas are nice places to live, are people not allowed to voice their opinions on the millions spent on the city center for no return (4m on artists drawings of projects not to make it past the drawing board) yet pittance put back into the outer areas who are used as cash cows?
tinytoonster wrote:Been said above "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT" move out of the area, simple really.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas. you can't polish a turd as they say..
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
4:52pm Wed 17 Oct 12
nowt fresh wrote:Are you refering to Westfield as that is just one of many problems.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
Overpaid execs offering little, the Odeon, the world mile, etc, etc.
nowt fresh
says...
5:04pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Thought that's (Westfield) what you was refering too re " the mess created in the center of Bradford" but this situation has not just arrived in the last few years TVOR we have had Labour.Tory,Labour/L
nowt fresh wrote:Are you refering to Westfield as that is just one of many problems. Overpaid execs offering little, the Odeon, the world mile, etc, etc.Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
ib Dems,Tory/Lib Dems in and none have done much for our City so just who is at fault ?.
nowt fresh
says...
5:15pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Of course people are allowed to voice there opinions,we all think things could be done better in our areas but as all the major political parties have had a go at ruining our City over the years what more can Joe Public do that vote in the party who they think will do the best (or least damage) to our once Great City ?.
nowt fresh wrote:Many of the outer areas are nice places to live, are people not allowed to voice their opinions on the millions spent on the city center for no return (4m on artists drawings of projects not to make it past the drawing board) yet pittance put back into the outer areas who are used as cash cows?tinytoonster wrote:Been said above "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT" move out of the area, simple really.Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas. you can't polish a turd as they say..
Mike Strutter
says...
5:20pm Wed 17 Oct 12
wobbley-bob wrote:I think it's fairly obvious with the amount of new houses being built up here that the vast majority of people have jobs and pay council tax.
Michael Manus wrote:How do you know who pays Council tax & who doesn't?
Mike Strutter wrote:My thoughts exactly...but in reality we don't have a cat in hells chance of this happening look at all the households in Queensbury which pay council tax compared to other areas with high benefit claimants. There is no way they will let Queensbury fall into the hands of Calderdale Council. A great shame indeed!
Slow with the news as usual.
I got all excited yesterday when the Courier reported this story yesterday at 3pm with the headline "Queensbury to become part of Halifax"
I thought that for the first time since 1974 we would be breaking away from Bradford council but was given false hope !!
Shame
How do you know who's on benefits & who isn't?
As someone said to Strutter ....You can always move to Halifax...What's stopping you?
Put it this way the council spend sod all in Queensbury so as a village we must be net contributors .
As for moving, why should I ? I like living here just don't like the way Bradford council runs its affairs.
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
5:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
nowt fresh wrote:I know this hasn't just cropped up over night which is why I think more local councils would be better. The big model doesn't work so let places like Shipley, Bingley, Keighley etc look after themselves as Bradford can't do it.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Thought that's (Westfield) what you was refering too re " the mess created in the center of Bradford" but this situation has not just arrived in the last few years TVOR we have had Labour.Tory,Labour/L
nowt fresh wrote:Are you refering to Westfield as that is just one of many problems. Overpaid execs offering little, the Odeon, the world mile, etc, etc.Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
ib Dems,Tory/Lib Dems in and none have done much for our City so just who is at fault ?.
craftykhan
says...
5:51pm Wed 17 Oct 12
nowt fresh
says...
6:15pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:These boundry changes are not about local councils though, it's about the Tories giving themselves a better chance of getting an overall majority in the coming general election,and they can't get it through parliment without support from other party's.
nowt fresh wrote:I know this hasn't just cropped up over night which is why I think more local councils would be better. The big model doesn't work so let places like Shipley, Bingley, Keighley etc look after themselves as Bradford can't do it.Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Thought that's (Westfield) what you was refering too re " the mess created in the center of Bradford" but this situation has not just arrived in the last few years TVOR we have had Labour.Tory,Labour/L ib Dems,Tory/Lib Dems in and none have done much for our City so just who is at fault ?.nowt fresh wrote:Are you refering to Westfield as that is just one of many problems. Overpaid execs offering little, the Odeon, the world mile, etc, etc.Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
PS Do you think Johnny Mc would have got to that corner the Poles scored from as Hart was miles away :-((.
A Casual Observer
says...
7:08pm Wed 17 Oct 12
nowt fresh wrote:I blame Eric Pickles.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Thought that's (Westfield) what you was refering too re " the mess created in the center of Bradford" but this situation has not just arrived in the last few years TVOR we have had Labour.Tory,Labour/L
nowt fresh wrote:Are you refering to Westfield as that is just one of many problems. Overpaid execs offering little, the Odeon, the world mile, etc, etc.Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.Would you have said the same if it had been built on time and been in use for all Bradfordians ? I'd expect better from you TVOR.
ib Dems,Tory/Lib Dems in and none have done much for our City so just who is at fault ?.
A Casual Observer
says...
7:10pm Wed 17 Oct 12
tinytoonster wrote:Good, I'm glad it annoys you.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
you can't polish a turd as they say..
bcfc1903
says...
8:26pm Wed 17 Oct 12
bcfc1903
says...
8:29pm Wed 17 Oct 12
A Casual Observer wrote:Why, they've been polishing Leeds for years, most of it is a shithole.
tinytoonster wrote:Good, I'm glad it annoys you.
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:correct, annoys me watching my taxes being spent on the inner city areas.
I would love for the outerwards to split from Bradford Council, I know this is about MP boundaries but I woukd really love to see the mess created in the center of Bradford be left to that area rather than taking money from the outer areas to fund such waste.
you can't polish a turd as they say..
Leedsgal30
says...
6:05am Thu 18 Oct 12
Fingers crossed it turns out no!!!!!
Mike Strutter
says...
6:29am Thu 18 Oct 12
Leedsgal30 wrote:I don't want to be associated with Harehills , Belle Isle, Miggy, chapel town , Beeston, Holbeck, Seacroft, Little London , Gipton , Halton moor or East end park either .
This is a terrible idea, I am from Horsforth and no offence but do not want to be associated with Bradford in any which way.
Fingers crossed it turns out no!!!!!
I know bradford is a dump but those thinking Leeds is paradise then visit the above first !
bcfc1903
says...
2:08pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Leedsgal30 wrote:The feelings mutual Leeds gal, and keep your smelly Leeds mits off Tong. Anyone would think Leeds was a garden city rather than a extremly large shithole surrounding a decent shopping centre.
This is a terrible idea, I am from Horsforth and no offence but do not want to be associated with Bradford in any which way.
Fingers crossed it turns out no!!!!!
nowt fresh
says...
2:08pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Mike Strutter wrote:Love it Mike Strutter !! a case of "pot calling kettle" me thinks.
Leedsgal30 wrote: This is a terrible idea, I am from Horsforth and no offence but do not want to be associated with Bradford in any which way. Fingers crossed it turns out no!!!!!I don't want to be associated with Harehills , Belle Isle, Miggy, chapel town , Beeston, Holbeck, Seacroft, Little London , Gipton , Halton moor or East end park either . I know bradford is a dump but those thinking Leeds is paradise then visit the above first !
Mike Strutter says...
10:26am Wed 17 Oct 12
I got all excited yesterday when the Courier reported this story yesterday at 3pm with the headline "Queensbury to become part of Halifax"
I thought that for the first time since 1974 we would be breaking away from Bradford council but was given false hope !!
Shame