The New Constituency Boundaries

In 2001, the Boundary Commission for England (not to be confused with the Boundary Committee for England, formerly the Local Government Commission for England) announced a review of constituency boundaries.

This review differed from previous adjustments of the boundaries in that the overriding principle was that of electoral equality - to the point where borough boundaries could be crossed in order to get the figures right. It was decided by the Commission that the Borough of Bromley would be "paired" with Lewisham for this purpose.

The commission published its provisional recommendations on 1 February 2001, proposing six new constituencies across the two boroughs, with Bromley Borough comprising the whole of Orpington, Bromley & Chislehurst, Beckenham & Biggin Hill and with three wards (Crystal Palace, Penge & Cator and Clock House) going into a cross-borough Lewisham West & Penge seat. Apart from the necessary adjustments arising from the revised ward boundaries (set in 2000), Orpington was to "lose" Biggin Hill and Darwin wards to a renamed "Beckenham & Biggin Hill" seat, and Bromley & Chislehurst was to shed its portion of Hayes & Coney Hall ward to the same.

The inevitable local inquiry followed, on 26 July 2001, after which the inspector recommended to the commission that The Beckenham & Biggin Hill seat relinquished Biggin Hill and Darwin wards and instead took on Bromley Common & Keston, with the constituency name reverting to Beckenham. Orpington therefore "took back" the two southern wards but saw Cray Valley West transferred into Bromley & Chislehurst (partly reflecting the old St. Paul's Cray ward's previous link with the pre-'97 Chislehurst constituency). The inspector also suggested that the one cross borough constituency be named "Sydenham & Penge" but this recommendation was rejected by the commission in producing their revised recommendations, published on 20 December that year. The inspector's other recommendations in respect of Bromley were included, however.

On 22nd May 2002, the recommendations became final and will form part of the overall recommendations for England to be submitted to the Secretary of State between 11 April 2003 and 12 April 2007. The changes will most probably take effect at the General Election falling between 2007 and 2012 - i.e. following the relevant order being made by the Queen, which in turn will follow approval of the changes by Parliament.

You can find full details of the review at the Boundary Commission for England's website. You will need Adobe Acrobat reader, available to download for free here.