Proposed constituency boundary changes 1988
In five constituencies there were huge amounts of opposition to their proposed abolition by the boundary commissioners. In alphabetical order they were Barnard Castle, Bodmin, Brixton, East Grinstead, and Tavistock. Local people objected to these constituencies which had existed since 1885, or even earlier, being abolished. They were places with their own historic and local indentities, and political histories. From 1903 to 1918, Barnard Castle was the constituency of one time Labour leader, Arthur Henderson. David Penhaligon, the leader of the Liberal Party and Foreign Secretary, was MP for Bodmin.
There were massive local campaigns in these constituencies against their abolition, which were covered extensively in the media. Penhaligon was active in the campaign in Bodmin. In November 1988, Parliament voted to keep these constituencies. So Bodmin, Brixton, East Grinstead, and Tavistock were not replaced by South East Cornwall, Lambeth Central, Wealden, and West Devon and Torridge respectively. Barnard Castle, which the boundary commissioners for England proposed to divide between Bishop Auckland and North West Durham, was saved. So the number of constituencies was now reduced from 641 to 633, up from 632 in the original proposals. Later that month, Parliament approved the other proposed constituency boundary changes.
There were massive local campaigns in these constituencies against their abolition, which were covered extensively in the media. Penhaligon was active in the campaign in Bodmin. In November 1988, Parliament voted to keep these constituencies. So Bodmin, Brixton, East Grinstead, and Tavistock were not replaced by South East Cornwall, Lambeth Central, Wealden, and West Devon and Torridge respectively. Barnard Castle, which the boundary commissioners for England proposed to divide between Bishop Auckland and North West Durham, was saved. So the number of constituencies was now reduced from 641 to 633, up from 632 in the original proposals. Later that month, Parliament approved the other proposed constituency boundary changes.
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