Holyrood constituencies change takes Linlithgow from West Lothian
A 'bizarre' change to the electoral boundaries which would see the historic county town of Linlithgow removed from West Lothian is facing opposition from angry local politicians.
Boundaries Scotland has recommended welding the town into a new Falkirk East and Linlithgow constituency for the upcoming Holyrood elections – similar to the former Westminster constituency.
The proposed move was branded a 'bizarre numbers game' by one veteran councillor, while another warned it would confuse people and put them off voting.
If agreed by MSPs the plan will split West Lothian into three constituencies for the 2026 Holyrood election for the first time since the foundation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
West Lothian's SNP MSPs have been urged not to support the boundary changes when the proposals come before them this month.
Other options, including one moving Whitburn and Fauldhouse into a constituency centred on Airdrie 14 miles to the west, have already been rejected after public consultation.
At a meeting of West Lothian Council's Executive, anger was expressed that no public meeting had been held in Linlithgow to debate the proposals.
Councillor Sally Pattle told the meeting: 'Let's not forget it is Linlithgowshire. I just don't feel, and people I represent don't feel as if we have had our chance to put our case forward. We're just so disappointed that our history, our feelings and normal allegiances haven't been taken into account.
'It has been a very frustrating and lengthy process. I am slightly concerned it is [not only] going to confuse people but also turn a lot of people off in next year's Holyrood elections because they are not going to feel as if they really understand where they are voting for in Linlithgow.
Labour's Tom Conn said he was 'extremely disappointed at a bizarre numbers game'.
Councillor Conn said it was 'ironic that the decision had been made as the town prepared for its historic Marches.'
'I just want to record my extreme disappointment at the Boundary Commission's failure to take into account Linlithgow's particular circumstances and historical associations,' he said.
'It was the county town of Linlithgowshire [ West Lothian's original name]. *
He added: 'It will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament, and I would certainly hope that our local parliamentary representatives in West Lothian will take that into account.'
The SNP's Pauline Orr said: 'I can appreciate how disappointing this change of boundaries is, it is never easy. What I can say is there have been multiple conversations, meetings and discussion opportunities to put down concerns in writing locally.'
Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told the meeting that he had attended a very busy hearing to discuss the Whitburn proposal and added: 'I did find it surprising that a hearing was not held in Linlithgow. They should have held a hearing in Linlithgow. I'm sure it would have been well attended.'
Boundaries Scotland said that after a meeting in Falkirk to discuss the proposal 'the Commission agreed that a further local inquiry was not justified.' Also time constraints around the publication of the latest review by 1 May prevented the chance of another public meeting, the commissioners said.
Publication of the plans produced mixed responses on social media. Dechmont Community, writing on the West Lothian Council website said: 'Costing more MONEY.'
Another said: 'Falkirk's not West Lothian! And another: 'There should be less not more'
Others pointed to the geographic rather than political boundaries: 'How can South Alloa, Slammanan, Polmont, etc be classed as West Lothian.
'Bo'ness was part of West Lothian until 1976. The great boundary change. Central Region Council. Ahh the days.'
West Lothian will split between three Scottish Parliamentary constituencies, which are:
Almond Valley constituency
Bathgate constituency
Falkirk East and Linlithgow constituency
Both West Lothian and Falkirk councils objected to the plans for a joint constituency, for similar reasons.
West Lothian Council said the proposed Falkirk East and Linlithgow constituency broke with historical, employment, educational, leisure, health, geographical, transport and community ties. West Lothian called for two constituencies to cover the council area.
That alternative would result in constituencies with just over 73,000 voters in each. Boundaries Scotland is trying to achieve constituencies of around 65,000.
Boundaries Scotland said that would put the two proposed West Lothian too far above the electoral quota recommended for each constituency.
The council also objected to West Lothian being moved away from its neighbouring Lothians constituencies into a new Central Scotland and Lothians West region. The new regions are again determined by changing populations and each has around 500,000 voters.
On the publication of the latest review Prof Ailsa Henderson, Chair of Boundaries Scotland, said: 'Our review commenced on 1 September 2022 and sought to address significant population movement within Scotland, including areas of substantial growth.
'We have held five rounds of consultation on constituencies, three rounds on regions and local inquiries where we have engaged with the public across Scotland.
'We have responded to the very helpful suggestions we received, amongst the nearly 5,000 submissions, by making changes to boundaries and names.'
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
Like this:
Like
Related
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
33 minutes ago
- The National
Do the SNP no longer have a strategy for gaining independence?
For years no widespread poster campaign has been mounted to show the comparison of Scotland with similar European countries. In fact the only recent effort along those lines was the publication of a series of white papers, which seem to have been seen by no-one outside the political bubble. READ MORE: 'What is our vision?': Inside the quiet anger brewing within the SNP It would appear the SNP are becoming complacent and happy with the status quo. I confidently expect that next year's SNP campaign will be based on the same stupid call for 'Both votes SNP', despite more than a million list votes adding only two extra SNP members last time. How about the slogan being 'country before party', and list voters being encouraged to vote for other independence-supporting candidates on the list? This will ensure an independence-supporting Holyrood and thwart Reform and their ilk. James Duncan Edinburgh
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Winter fuel U-turn should have come a long time ago, Reeves told
The decision to reinstate the winter fuel payment should have been made 'a long time ago', Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Monday that nine million pensioners will be in receipt of the payment this year after a cut was announced in the first weeks of the Labour Government last summer. The initial decision was met with heavy backlash and forced the Scottish Government to delay the implementation of its own devolved benefit. John Swinney's administration later announced a similar payment for pensioners which would be tapered and see those on the highest incomes receiving £100, compared to £305.10 for those on the least. Monday's announcement will result in cash being sent to the devolved administration at Holyrood, and Scottish Labour has urged the Government to increase its payments. But Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the decision was 'a betrayal' of pensioners. 'I welcome any extension of eligibility by the UK Government, but this is a U-turn the Chancellor should have made a long time ago,' she said. 'But there is still no detail about how the Chancellor intends to go about that. Unfortunately, it still sounds as if many pensioners will miss out.' Ms Somerville added that the Scottish Government had not been consulted on the decision and urged UK ministers to 'ensure the Scottish Government is fully appraised of the proposed changes as soon as possible'. 'The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last week to urge the UK Government to share its plans with us as quickly as possible, so that we can understand any implications for our own programmes and, crucially, our budget,' she said. Scottish Labour MSP Paul O'Kane said: 'The winter fuel payment is a devolved payment in Scotland and Scottish Labour has long been clear that we want to see it reinstated for the majority of pensioners up here – but despite their loud spin, the SNP voted against our attempts to do so. 'The SNP must not go ahead with plans that would rob poorer pensioners in order to fund payments for millionaires. 'The SNP must re-examine their own proposals in light of this game-changing announcement, ensure payments reach those most in need, and give a cast-iron guarantee that no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans.' The Scottish Government's plans were initially to provide a universal payment to pensioners, but the proposals were scuppered by the Chancellor's announcement of the cut last summer, forcing ministers to create a different system for this winter.
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Seed potato farmers left in limbo after EU trade deal reached
Seed potato farmers in Scotland say they need to know 'sooner rather than later' when they can resume exporting their products to the EU. In March, a political agreement between Europe and the UK was reached after crops were banned post-Brexit, which farmers say cost the industry tens of millions of pounds. Scotland's seed potatoes are exported worldwide, but until recently, farmers haven't been able to sell them into the EU. The multi-million pound industry says a clear timeline is needed quickly if they're to make the most of the agreement. Farmer Robert Doig told STV News: 'We lost all our European market in Brexit, it went to zero…for those doing business with the EU it was sort of a catastrophe. 'But the EU seed still came in so we lost our market and had another one coming in. 'The seed potato industry has contracted a little bit.' He says the details of the deal need to come sooner rather than later. Farmers now predominantly export seed potatoes into North Africa, with Egypt and Morocco the largest export markets. Scott Walker, chief executive of GB Potatoes, said: 'This has been extremely welcome. 'The timing of those details is important to allow farmers to meet the EU's demand.' NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said last month: 'This agreement marks a welcome shift towards reducing the red tape and costs that have frustrated Scottish farmers and food exporters for years. 'While details are still emerging, anything that helps restore smoother trade with our largest export market is a positive step.' He added: 'The devil will be in the detail. We need to ensure this works across all sectors – from livestock to seed potatoes and delivers real benefits on the ground. 'The principle of the deal is dynamic alignment with EU policy, but we need to understand what the exceptions might be and how this might work in practice.' The UK Government say the specifics of the deal will be decided on in the coming months. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
