Bexhill and Battle MP, Greg Barker, was joined by Cllr Kathryn Field at a public meeting he called to discuss the Boundary Commission proposals at Claverham Community College in Battle last Friday.
Speaking to an interested audience, Greg explained why he strongly believes the wards of Battle, Ewhurst and Sedlescombe and the Rother Levels should remain within the Bexhill Constituency and not move to the proposed new constituency called The Weald.
Amongst the arguments in favour of these wards remaining within the constituency Greg highlighted that hospital and medical services for these wards are linked to Hastings and Bexhill; pupils who attend the secondary school in Battle transfer to Bexhill for sixth form studies; these areas are served by Rother District Council with whom Greg as MP works closely and that Battle is linked with Bexhill and Hastings in the 1066 County for tourism which is a vital part of the local economy.
Greg expressed his doubts as to whether an MP for the proposed Weald constituency would be able to understand or represent the interests of constituents these areas as comprehensively or thoroughly as he is currently able to. An MP for The Weald would need to work with Kent and East Sussex County Councils, three district or borough councils, namely Wealden, Rother and Tunbridge Wells and multiple different education and health authorities.
Speaking at Battle, Greg said “Although these changes won’t come into effect until 2015, these stand to have an impact on our area. I hope people will take this opportunity to make their views known to the Boundary Commission and join me in putting forward a more sensible proposal.”