Lib Dem MPs to oppose new Menston and Burley boundary changes (From Ilkley Gazette)

Lib Dem MPs to oppose new Menston and Burley boundary changes

9:57am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Annette McIntyre

Menston and Burley will become part of a new constituency if Boundary Commission proposals go ahead.

The two communities, which are currently in the constituency of Shipley MP Philip Davies, would become part of a new Otley ward under the latest proposals.

Plans to rip up the political map would see boundaries redrawn and the number of MPs cut from 650 to 600.

The latest proposals follow on from previous plans, which would have seen the Shipley constituency scrapped. Although that has been saved, Burley and Menston will no longer be part of it.

Meanwhile, Ilkley will remain part of Keighley constituency, which will keep Worth Valley and that will also now include the Bingley Rural ward.

 But the Liberal Democrats have already said they will block the proposals. Shipley’s Conservative MP, Philip Davies, is also opposing the changes.

Boundary changes will not proceed if the Liberal Democrats fail to honour their commitments

Kris Hopkins, MP

He said: “I am delighted that the Boundary Commission has listened to the representations I have made and retained a Shipley constituency after initially proposing to abolish it. “However, I wish to retain the Shipley constituency as it is now, and will be voting against the new boundaries when they are voted on in Parliament next year.”

 Keighley and Ilkley MP, Kris Hopkins, said: “Of course, the overall boundary changes will not proceed if the Liberal Democrats fail to honour their commitments under the Coalition Agreement.

“If they fail to do so, I have no doubt that a majority Conservative Government will see the process through in 2015 when a new Parliament is elected.”