Why 700 for Walthamstow

The Boundary Commission reviewed the boundaries of Westminster parliamentary constituencies, following legislation in 2011 to reduce their number, and make them more equal in size. It reported in 2018. Parliament has never debated this review, and is now very unlikely to.

In a similar review in 2011, the Commission initially included a Walthamstow constituency, but later eliminated it. '700 for Walthamstow' aimed to get local people, appalled by this, to send written responses to the Commission. In all around 1000 were sent (though the whole process was stopped in 2012 when parliament voted to stop it).

Sunday 10 December 2017

24 hours left to tell the Boundary Commission they are right not to split Walthamstow Constituency

The deadline for public responses to be submitted to the Boundary Commission on its revised proposals is Monday 11th December. (Submit your response here.)

The proposals now keep Walthamstow as it is rather than sending Chapel End to Chingford, and Wood Street to Wanstead. In addition Forest ward will be added to the constituency in order for the electorate size fit to within the legally required range. Both these proposals make good sense: Forest ward has a substantial common border with Hoe Street and Wood Street wards, the eastern border of the constituency now runs through a stretch of Epping Forest rather than cutting off Wood Street (to find its way through the forest to Wanstead . . ), and almost all of Chapel End is - like Walthamstow - south of the north circular.

It is clear the Commission pays considerable attention to the responses of local residents, and so it's well worth submitting a response supporting this latest amendment; it maintains the integrity of Walthamstow as a very long standing local community, that would be best represented by one MP, rather than split between two or three. You can submit your response here.