Blackford opposes Lochaber boundary change plans

Plans to include parts of Lochaber into a new Argyll and Bute UK Parliament constituency have been put before councillors.

 

The new proposals, which are part of a Scotland-wide plan drawn up by the Boundary Commission for Scotland, would see Glencoe and villages such as Ballachulish, Kinlochleven, Morvern, Ardamurchan, Moidart and Ardgour incorporated into a new Argyll constituency.

 

Members of Argyll and Bute Council discussed the plans at a meeting last Thursday, November 25, but Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford believes the proposed boundary reforms will weaken Scotland’s voice at Westminster with the loss of two MPs.

 

'Glasgow and the North of Scotland would both lose seats, while widespread changes would see boundaries shift and constituencies renamed across the country. Meanwhile, England would see an increase of 10 MPs, while Wales will lose eight, if the changes are implemented.

 

'The net result is that Scotland’s representation will be cut even further under these plans.

 

'The SNP will strongly oppose any attempt to weaken Scotland’s voice in the UK Parliament but the reality is that Scotland will always be outvoted under the broken Westminster system.'

 

The Boundary Commission for Scotland’s eight-week public consultation on new

 

boundary proposals began on October 14. The proposals aim to resolve parity issues in the number of voters in constituencies and will have to be approved by Parliament.

 

A secondary six-week consultation period in early 2022 will see comments received during the first consultation published.

 

For full details, see: www.bcomm-scotland.independent.gov.uk