Battle to hang on to Penketh!

A BATTLE is starting to keep Penketh in Warrington.
Warrington South MP David Mowat and borough councillor for Penketh Paul Campbell are joining forces to fight the proposal by the Boundary Commission to place Penketh in a different constituency.
The commission is proposing the parish should be part of a new Widnes and Runcorn constituency – although its councillors would still sit on Warrington Borough Council.
In addition the commission is proposing to move 36,000 people in Warrington from South to North or vice versa.
Mr Mowat (pictured) said: “The proposals are deeply unfair to the people of Warrington and particularly Penketh. The commission appear to have ignored their own rules on respecting existing constituency boundaries wherever possible and are trying to needlessly move wards between the constituencies as well as kicking Penketh out of the town altogether. People won’t know who their MP is supposed to be.
“Equalising the size of constituencies is the right thing to do, but Warrington has been particularly badly treated.
“To put it bluntly, it appears that we have suffered because of mistakes elsewhere. I would urge people to contact the Boundary Commission and let them know that Warrington deserves to be treated better than this.”
Cllr Campbell added: “I thought it was obvious to everyone that Penketh is in Warrington, but apparently not. I really fear for Penketh if it is made part of Widnes and Runcorn. It’s quite clear from the name where the new MP’s priorities are likely lie.”
Anyone who wishes to make representations to the Boundary Commission can do so by visiting
http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk or writing to the Boundary Commission for England, 35, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ.