In 2011 the Boundary Commission for England published its report and suggested that the Hampstead and Kilburn seat be amended. Their recommendations suggested that 3 wards in our constituency be removed.
Brondesbury was to be moved to Willesden
Fortune Green to Finchley
Belsize to Camden Town
Our association understood the local ties of community fro Brondesbury to Willesden. Although saddened we had no strong argument to object.
The removal of Fortune Green, the northern half of West Hampstead, and Belsize, the heart of the old Borough of Hampstead were baffling. We objected and wrote to all voters in these two wards suggesting they may wish to object and write to the Boundary Commission expressing their views. We also contact all local groups in each area. Following our prompt nearly 500 letters were received from local people objecting. The result has been heard by the Boundary Commission and they have reported and have accepted the Conservatives plan for the boundaries in Camden.
The full report can be read on the website attached http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/static/whats-proposed/london/north-thames/index.html
The question now remains, which boundary will we fight the next General Election on. If the proposals set out this week are passed in Parliament in October 2013 then it will be the new seat. If they are not it will be on the present seat. The change will be gaining Highgate and bidding farewell to Brondesbury. We will be campaigning in both as both are swing seats in the 2014 Council elections.
It has been a huge fight to get the Boundary Commission to understand the importance of the local ties that hold our community together. We would like to thank all who wrote in and supported our proposals to retain Belsize and Fortune Green in a Hampstead constituency.