Proposed boundary changes to the Esher and Walton parliamentary constituency

You may have read that the boundary commission is proposing boundary changes to the Esher and Walton parliamentary constituency because it is too large in size. The proposals so far as they affect Cobham and its surrounding villages, apart from meeting a numbers game, are devoid of any logic or sense and could materially disadvantage us. You can comment on the proposals until 2nd August 2021 and you can read about the proposals and make representations here: South East | BCE Consultation Portal (bcereviews.org.uk).

The proposals, in essence, split off Cobham (including Downside) west of the middle of the lower part of Fairmile lane and Tilt Road into a long thin constituency of Weybridge and Chertsey. The rest of Cobham and Stoke D’Abernon stays with the Esher and Walton constituency.

The boundary commission state that when they rearrange boundaries:

As far as possible, we try to have regard to local ties, geographic factors, local government boundaries (as they were known on 1 December 2020), existing constituencies, and minimising disruption caused by the proposed change. 

They have failed us wholly on these tests other than ward boundaries which have little relevance in this part of Elmbridge.

If you live in Stoke D’Abernon, your schools, doctors and all your other local services are likely to be in another parliamentary constituency.

If you live in Cobham we will become an orphan and outlying ward, with little say, in a long narrow developed belt comprising Weybridge, Chertsey and Egham with which we have little in common. We shall be split away from the adjoining settlements of Stoke D’Abernon and Oxshott with whom we have much in common and have coalesced for centuries. Our rail station will be in another constituency. The boundary will split a previously cohesive settlement dividing it into two going down the middle of residential roads. The proposed boundary wholly ignores natural geographical factors. There could be implications for future realignments.

We encourage you all to read through the proposals and make representations before 2nd August 2021 using this link www.bcereviews.org.uk.