Stourbridge threatened by the sea-slug and the vampire bat

Letter to "Stourbridge News"

Dear Sir

Stourbridge threatened by the sea-slug and the vampire bat

The Boundary Commission for England have come up with a bizarre plan for redrawing Parliamentary boundaries in the Stourbridge, Halesowen and Rowley area. They are proposing two straggling, elongated constituencies, based on an arbitrary north-south divide which would split the historic borough of Stourbridge in two.

The more northerly constituency, shaped like a sea-slug, to be called "Dudley South & Rowley Regis", would stretch from Wordsley and Brierley Hill to Blackheath, taking in the Stourbridge wards of Amblecote, and Lye and Stourbridge North. The more southerly constituency, called "Halesowen & Stourbridge", shaped like a vampire bat in flight, would include the rest of Stourbridge and would stretch from Norton to Halesowen South.

I have submitted an objection, suggesting instead a split based on the present constituencies and the historic boroughs of Stourbridge and Halesowen. As well as keeping Stourbridge united, this involves fewer changes, with only three wards being put into a different constituency. I have suggested the names "Stourbridge & Brierley Hill", giving recognition to Brierley Hill's importance, and "Halesowen & Rowley Regis" as at present. The sizes of the two electorates would comply with the Commission's guidelines.

I hope people will support this. Have your say. See http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/

Chris Bramall

4-time LibDem Parliamentary candidate, Stourbridge