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North East Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot will stand down
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Fleet electoral ward could join Aldershot

By Tim Tonkin
September 16, 2011

VOTERS in Fleet could be casting their lot in with electors in the Aldershot constituency under changes proposed by England's Boundary Commission.

Those living in the Fleet North ward, currently part of James Arbuthnot MP's North East Hampshire constituency, would be shifted to the neighbouring Aldershot constituency, currently held by Gerald Howarth MP, ahead of the next general election likely to be held in 2015.

The move is part of a national review into parliamentary constituency boundaries currently being carried out by the commission.

Hampshire North East is one of 23 of the current total of 84 parliamentary constituencies across the South East that could be amended under the proposals, with the change meaning that the 5,217 voters living in the ward will now be the only residents of Fleet not voting in the the North East Hampshire constituency.

All other wards in both constituencies have remained unchanged.

Constituency boundaries determine the area an MP represents once they are elected to Parliament. Changes can be significant as they can effect the political balance among electorates particularly in marginal seats.

The commission, which is now set to embark on a 12-week consultation starting on September 13, is inviting people to put forward their views and criticisms of the new boundaries, with all contributions to be taken into account before any final decision over re-drawings are made.

Mr Arbuthnot has already announced he will stand down at the next general election.

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