Byfleet stays in Woking thanks to Lib Dems

Lib Dems keep Byfleet part of Woking

The Boundary Commission has announced its latest proposals for future parliamentary constituencies including Woking.  Having consulted on its initial plans the Commission is now proposing that Woking should keep its current parliamentary boundaries.  I never understood the reasoning behind the changes proposed so this is great news for Woking.  

Original plans for Woking constituency involved the loss of Byfleet and the addition of Pilgrims ward from Guildford.  This meant the loss of a Woking borough ward and its replacement with an area outside the borough and closer to Farnham than Woking.

Byfleet is closely linked to the other two wards in the east of the borough  West Byfleet and Pyrford.  The links between these areas are strong and they are commonly known as the "three villages".  Taking Byfleet out of Woking constituency seemed illogical to local Liberal Democrats.  

Lib Dem Borough councillor for Byfleet Anne Roberts put Byfleet's case at the Boundary Commission's public hearing in Crawley.  Cllr. Roberts pointed out that Byfleet looks to Woking as its major town and administrative centre.  This assertion appears to have been supported by the Commission.

Disappointingly local Conservatives took a different view and the Boundary Commission report refers to “Those supporting the transfer of Byfleet, including the Conservative Party, have argued that it is separated from the rest of Woking by the M25.”  It's hard to believe that local Conservatives were prepared to cast Byfleet adrift because a previous Conservative government allowed a motorway to be cut through the borough.

Pilgrims ward is a very rural part of Guildford.  For much of it the nearest town centre is Farnham.  There seemed no logic in attaching this area to Woking.  It is a ward that elects one Conservative councillor with a large majority so you can see the attraction for one party if this area became part of Woking constituency.

Thankfully common sense has prevailed.  This may all be academic for the moment as the new boundary proposals are unlikely to get through parliament.  However they could return after 2015 so I am pleased that the Boundary Commission now supports the status quo for Woking constituency.