MP calling for people to give views on boundary changes

The MP for wants people to put down their views about the future representation of their area in future Parliamentary boundaries.

This follows Mrs Hodgson's written and verbal submissions to the Boundary Commission hearings in November last year being published as part of the second consultation.

She has outlined her support for three different options, which would either minimise the split of Washington or maintain Washington solely within one Parliamentary constituency.

Currently, under the Boundary Commission’s proposals, Washington would be split between three different constituencies, with no name recognition in any of them – undoing the recognition and unification of Washington within one constituency since 2010.

It would see Sunderland split across six constituencies, and not the three boundaries there currently is.

Mrs Hodgson, said: "It is important that as many people as possible get involved with the second consultation on the future representation of our local communities in Parliament by the Boundary Commission.

"This is especially important when Washington and Sunderland sees such a significant carving up of its current boundaries that fails to recognise the unification of Washington within one seat since 2010, but also the diminishing of Sunderland-wide representation from three seats within the boundaries of Sunderland, to six that cross over various local authority boundaries, thus watering down coherent representation for our city.

“This is something that I know many people in both Washington and Sunderland are concerned about, and there are many different proposals out there for people to look at, so I hope as many of my constituents as possible will engage in the submissions in the last few days to make their voices heard.

"That is why I went along and submitted evidence, both written and verbal, so that the commission could hear the concerns I was raising on behalf of my constituents.

"Nevertheless, it is important that local people themselves also make their voices heard and help to influence the final outcome as this decision will affect the future representation of our communities for many years to come.”

The second consultation runs until Monday, March 27 and details of how to read other submissions and make comments on the initial proposals by the Boundary Commission can be read here: https://www.bce2018.org.uk/node/6486?postcode=NE380DS.