MP Hugh Robertson's
Faversham and Mid Kent constituency could go

by political editor Paul Francis

pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk

Sweeping changes to Kent's parliamentary constituencies will see
the county losing one of its seats.

Under plans unveiled today by the Boundary Commission, the
Faversham and Mid Kent constituency – held by the Olympics minister
Hugh Robertson – is set to disappear.

The abolition of the constituency is the most significant
proposal in changes that have been triggered by the government's
commitment to cull the number of MPs to around 600 by 2015 – a
reduction of about 50.

"It's very disappointing to lose my existing seat," Mr
Roberston said.

"It's a seat I inherited with a majority of 4,000 which we have
turned into 17,000. That said, I support the party's policy of
reducing the number of MPs."

Asked about his intentions, he added: "I am minister for the
Olympics and I have a major national project to deliver next year
and am focusing on that."

There will also be changes in several other Kent constituencies,
with name changes for some.

However, seven parliamentary constituencies will remain broadly
intact with just one – Sittingbourne and Sheppey – seeing no
changes at all.

In the case of Faversham and Mid Kent, its electorate will be
split between Canterbury and a re-shaped Tonbridge constituency,
with different wards going to each.

In Thanet, the two existing constituencies are to be redrawn and
renamed.

There will be a new constituency of Margate and Ramsgate, based
on the existing Thanet South seat which will incorporate the two
towns and Broadstairs.

The Thanet North seat will become a new constituency named Herne
Bay, which will take five wards from Canterbury.

The Medway Towns will continue to have three MPs but there are
name changes and new boundaries for all.

Rochester and Strood is to become Rochester but will take
Chatham Central ward from the Chatham and Aylesford seat.

Chatham and Aylesford itself will retain 11 of its existing
wards and additionally take a ward from Gillingham and Rainham and
two from Tonbridge and Malling.

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In west Kent, there will be significant changes in Maidstone
where the seat held by Helen Grant effectively loses its wards in
The Weald and will be known as Maidstone.

Tonbridge and Malling – represented by one of Kent's longest
serving MPs, Sir John Stanley – will be "significantly
reconfigured".

It will lose six wards to Tunbridge Wells but take wards from
Faversham and Mid Kent, Ashford and the existing Maidstone and
Weald seat. It will be renamed Tonbridge.

Gary Cooke, the chairman of the Faversham and Mid Kent
Conservative constituency association, said: "I am not surprised by
the proposals and I can see the logic what has been proposed.
Nevertheless, it is disappointing that the seat is to disappear. We
have an excellent MP and would wish him well whatever he chooses to
do."

The shake-up, if agreed, will leave MPs like Hugh Robertson
having to contest other constituencies if they wish to remain in
the Commons.

Mr Robertson was elected in 2001, succeeding the constituency's
former MP Andrew Rowe.

There will be consultation over the Boundary Commission
proposals over the next three months with the final plans being in
place by 2013 in time for the election in 2015.

The recommendations are based on plans for every seat to be no
more than 5% bigger or smaller than an average electorate of
76,641.

Visit the Boundary Commission's website for more information about the planned changes.