Website of the UK government

Constituency review

The review of constituency boundaries follows Parliament’s decision to reduce the number of constituencies across the UK, and ensure there are similar numbers of electors in each constituency.

In England the total number of constituencies will fall from 533 to 502. Most constituencies will have boundary changes; in the initial proposals just 77 of the existing constituencies are unchanged.

The proposals are designed to ensure that each constituency contains a similar number of registered electors. With the exception of the Isle of Wight – all constituencies will contain between 72,810 and 80,473 electors.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Proposals for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be published shortly.

Proposed constituency changes

The Boundary Commission for England has published details and maps of its initial proposals for each constituency.

Timetable for the proposed changes

date	action
13 September 2011	BCE’s initial proposals
5 December 2011	Initial consultation closes
Spring 2012	BCE publishes all of the representations that it has received and transcripts of the public hearings
Autumn 2012	Any revisions to BCE’s initial proposals will be published and may be subject to a further consultation
1 October 2013	Final recommendations from the BCE are given to the government

The final report of the BCE will be laid before Parliament for debate, as a ‘draft Order in Council’. If it is not approved by both Houses of Parliament, the government may then amend it. The amended Order will also be debated.

After the Order in Council has been approved, the new constituencies will take effect at the next General Election.

Getting involved in the consultation

The BCE is hosting a number of public hearings across England to enable people to have their say in the design of the new constituency boundaries. It is encouraging the public to comment, whether in support of or objection to the initial proposals.

You can have your say in one of two ways: in writing (either by using the online form, by emailing or writing to the Boundary Commission for England) or by attending a public hearing in your region.

There are full details of the boundary review process in ‘A guide to the 2013 Review.’

• Have your say on the proposals (comments form) Opens new window

• reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk Opens new window

• Constituency review public hearings Opens new window

• Guide to the 2013 Review (PDF, 765KB) Opens new window