Fresh plans for Brighton and Hove constituency shake up

The plans to reduce MPs from 650 to 600 were first drawn up by the Boundary Commission last September - but new proposals were revealed today (October 17), with changes for all three of Brighton and Hove's constituencies.

In a report by the Boundary Commission it said Brighton and Hove was the area in the south east with the most opposition to initial plans, with the controversy over the division of Hove across two constituencies, and cutting the Pavilion ward off from the sea. It also noted that there was opposition to Seaford being included in the Kemptown constituency, as many respondents felt their ties were with Eastbourne rather than Brighton.

However, Seaford remains in the Kemptown constituency under new plans, and the Brighton seat will also gain half of Newhaven, but will lose Moulsecoomb and Bevendean if plans for the new 'Brighton Kemptown and Seahaven' constituency go ahead.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, spoke out against the first set of boundary proposals last year calling it 'political and unnecessary', and said his view hasn't changed.

On the new proposals for Kemptown, a seat he won from the Conservatives in June by 10,000 votes, he said Lewes should have been placed with Kemptown instead of Seaford, as it is part of 'Greater Brighton'.

“I think they have made the wrong choice,” he said.

“The economy of Lewes and Brighton, I believe is much more closely linked. The County Court in Lewes has a shared location in Brighton. For transport links from Seaford to Brighton you have to go via Lewes. 

“I see Lewes as much more integrated in the Brighton economy than Seaford is.”

He added even health services in Lewes were more linked with Brighton.

“If you break your leg, or you’re giving birth in Lewes, you go to the Royal Sussex. If you’re in Seaford you go to Eastbourne.”

Despite this, he said: "I would relish the opportunity to stand in the seat representing Seaford and Newhaven, an area I grew up in and know well.

"My biggest concern is they are cutting Newhaven in half. That will mean Newhaven, which is going through a lot of redevelopment at the moment, we will have two different voices for the town. It is cutting across the A259. It does not make sense. It is a real problem for Newhaven."

Mr Russell-Moyle added that he opposed reducing the number of parliamentarians and pointed out that the Boundary Commission should be using census data rather than the electoral register from November 2015.

But he said: “I don’t think the proposals will go through. I think the Conservatives will see sense.”

Under the new proposals the Hove constituency, currently held by Labour MP Peter Kyle, would include the Regency ward - cutting Brighton Pavilion off from the sea. But plans to move Pavilion's St Peter's and North Laine wards into Hove have been scrapped. It would be called 'Hove and Regency', the Boundary Commission said.

Mr Kyle said: “I’m pleased the boundary changes retain Hove’s sense of self, and gaining Regency ward would give Hove constituency a stake in the heart of Brighton. However, I’m against the proposal for renaming the constituency – I want the name changed to include Portslade.”

Brighton Pavilion is to keep its name, but lose Regency. It would gain traditionally Labour wards Moulsecoomb and Bevendean. Initial plans to move Conservative wards Woodingdean and Hove Park have been scrapped.

Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said: "The latest version of the boundary review is certainly an improvement on the last iteration. Though I believe it is wrong that my constituency loses its access to the sea, it is good to see the distinction between Brighton and Hove retained. I still believe that plans to reduce the number of MPs is unnecessary at best, and anti-democratic at worst - and while we keep our outdated electoral system it strikes me that this kind of tinkering will always be destined to fail the people of this country.

"I look forward to continuing to work for my constituents - and will be monitoring these proposals as they make their through Parliament."

The reason behind the proposals is to even out the number of electors in each constituency, with no fewer than 71,031 electors and no more than 78,507.

Brighton and Hove’s electorate is 183,038, under the proposed rules it would only make up 2.45 constituencies,which is why Brighton Kemptown is set to be stretched out further to the east.

The consultation on the new proposals begins today (October 17) and runs until December 11.

To view the latest boundary proposals, visit: www.bce2018.org.uk/node/6488