Many people I meet at local events, on the doorstep or on the campaign trail ask me about what the new boundary changes mean for them.
Below are a few frequently asked questions and information that might help to explain what's happening at the next general election:
Why have the boundaries been changed?
As it currently stands, our local constituencies are uneven in their size. Huddersfield, for example has around 66,000 voters, whilst Dewsbury has nearly 82,000! This means that your vote could carry less weight in Dewsbury than Huddersfield, and the independent Boundary Commission recognises that this could be unfair. To fix this, the boundaries have been redrawn so that each constituency ends up with around 70,000-77,000 people living there (with some exceptions, like Scottish islands and the Isle of Wight).
What has happened to Dewsbury?
Dewsbury has been split into three constituencies - Dewsbury and Batley, Spen Valley, and Ossett and Denby Dale.
Did you choose these new boundaries?
This is an independent process, and although as a Member of Parliament I was consulted, I did not make the decision. Other neighbouring MPs from other parties had their say too. The consultation was also open to the public to allow them to comment on any part of the process, from the constituency name to the areas that it included. The final decisions were made by the Boundary Commission and accepted by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Are you still my MP?
If you voted in the Dewsbury constituency at the last election (2019) I will still be your MP until a General Election is called and Parliament is dissolved. I can still help on any issue affecting you within our current constituency boundaries.
What about at the next election?
I have been selected as the Parliamentary Candidate for the Ossett and Denby Dale seat, which comprises Denby Dale, Ossett, Horbury, Wakefield South and Wakefield Rural wards, and part of the Kirkburton ward (see map below). If you live within the boundaries of the new Ossett and Denby Dale constituency, I'll be campaigning to remain your Member of Parliament at the next General Election.
If you live in Mirfield, you will become part of the Spen Valley constituency, and your Parliamentary Candidate is Cllr Adam Gregg. The candidate for Batley and Dewsbury has not yet been selected but will be chosen by local members in the coming months.