Comment DBCC-7019

[REDACTED] Chief Executive
Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Hastings House
Fitzalan Place Cardiff
CF24 DBL

4 September 2024 Dear [REDACTED]
[REDACTED]

Re: Proposed New Boundaries for Senedd Elections 2026

I write regarding the Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales' proposals for the 2026 Senedd elections. I emphatically disagree with the proposals on two counts, namely:

1. Some of the proposed constituencies will be far too large, and:

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The geographical size of some of these constituencies is a matter of considerable concern. I understand that Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, stretching from the Llyn Peninsula to the border with England, will be 1,926 square miles. How on earth can a single politician represent an area of that magnitude? It will certainly not serve the public or the politicians well and will break the link between the electorate and the politician.

The constituency of which I am part of - Brecon, Radnor and Cwmtawe - which I vehemently opposed at the last parliamentary boundary review, will merge with Neath and Swansea East. This again will be a constituency that will be a mix of rural and urban that is geographically far too large.

With six politicians elected in each of the 16 paired constituencies, where will they choose to open a constituency office? My guess is that they will opt for town centres where the population (and number of voters!) is greater. What if all six MS's in the proposed new Brecon, Radnor and Cwmtawe constituency open offices in Neath and Swansea? That would leave the electorate north of Ystradgynlais completely isolated, which would be extremely bad for democracy.

[REDACTED]

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Member of public

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