Boundary Commission final Isle of Wight recommendations

The final recommendations have been published by the Boundary Commission for England, a day after they were submitted to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Island has been split from top to bottom, into two constituencies - Isle of Wight East and Isle of Wight West. Newport and East Cowes are included in Isle of Wight West.

The Government now has four months to give the plans the go-ahead.

What do the boundary changes this mean for Isle of Wight residents?

If the changes get the green light, there will be two Isle of Wight constituencies - which means two Isle of Wight MPs.

Isle of Wight East will have 56,805 voters while Isle of Wight West will have 54,911.

Why are they making the changes in the first place?

The long-running review's aim has been to make constituencies across England more consistent.

• The Isle of Wight has been a single seat in the House of Commons since 1832 and it has been the largest constituency in the UK.
• The UK average of registered voters is 73,181 but the Isle of Wight had 113,021, in 2019.
• In that election, current MP Bob Seely won 56 per cent of the vote, based on a turnout of 74,442.

"Thorough process"

This week, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, Tim Bowden, said: "The recommendations we have published today mark the end of a thorough and consultative process to build the new map of Parliamentary constituencies.

"We have taken into account over 60,000 public comments, travelled the country, and heard many passionate views about how best to reflect local community ties in our recommendations.

"We are confident that our final recommendations are the best reflection of the statutory rules Parliament has set us.

"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated in the 2023 Boundary Review."

We already know the names of some of those who will be seeking election at a vote that must take place before January 2025.

Isle of Wight East candidates

• Cllr Joe Robertson, leader of the Isle of Wight Council's Conservative Group;
• Vix Lowthion, from the Isle of Wight Green Party;
• Isle of Wight Labour is seeking nominations and will confirm a name after September.

Isle of Wight West candidates

• Bob Seely MP, current Isle of Wight MP, for the Conservative Party; 
• Cameron Palin, from the Isle of Wight Green Party, though he must be ratified by members in July;
• Cllr Richard Quigley wants to stand here. His candidacy cannot be agreed by the Labour party until after its September conference. 

Other candidates have yet to be declared.