A classic case of mis-judged resistance?
This time there are two issues raised that need to be addressed as, at face value, it seems to be resistance based upon nothing but opinion and no facts.
Firstly, the blogger says ‘historic boundaries throughout the UK matters to many people’. Of course they do. However, this is not evidence that people consider these boundaries more important than the principle of equal representation, is it?
Secondly, and perhaps more important, it is suggested that there are 3.5 million people who are not registered (but should be) to vote. Apparently these phantom voters are in deprived areas mostly represented by Labour MPs.
But this seems a fuss about nothing – as soon as they chose, and it is their choice, to register and any constituency has 5% more or less than the equal number the Boundaries Commission will have to re-draw to represent this.
There is some potential through this to erode traditional boundaries further. But until there is strong evidence to suggest that the people would prefer unequal ‘traditional’ boundaries to equal representation then it is wrong of politicians to use this as a counter argument.
The choice for Cornwall seems clear: equal representation or a throw back to Cornish nationalism.
Interesting post I was under the impression that no one outside Westminster wanted a Devonwall constituency, I stand corrected.
ReplyDeleteI don't quite seem to understand your equation with resistance to Devonwall with Cornish nationalism, no doubt it is partly borne out of Cornish national identity but nationalism, no the resistance to this is much wider. All of Cornwall's active political parties: Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Mebyon Kernow have all rallied together, met with Nick Clegg and proposed amendments to the electoral reform bill to avoid a cross Tamar seat. There is even a protest march along Cornwall's historic border on the 8th, 9th and 10th of October. See the Keep Cornwall Whole website for more details.
Just a little point. You don't have a choice to register to vote. You have to be on the electoral roll by law. You can be take to court if you don't. It's your choice though if you do turn up and vote.
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