Wood Green set to join Southgate while Hornsey joins Friern Barnet and Highgate joins Hampstead By James Cracknell
The proposed new constituency boundaries in Haringey
Voters in Haringey could be voting for four different MPs at the next general election if new boundary proposals are approved.
In its latest plans to redraw the Westminster constituency boundaries across England, the Boundary Commission has proposed that the existing Hornsey and Wood Green seat be split three different ways, while Tottenham would be extended to include parts of Hackney.
While the number of constituencies in North London remains the same, the new constituencies will be more equal in size. Haringey currently only has two MPs, while neighbouring Enfield has three.
Plans published today (Tuesday) would see a new Southgate and Wood Green seat created, while Hornsey would be joined with Friern Barnet. Meanwhile, voters in Highgate would join with Camden to elect a new Hampstead and Highgate MP. In Tottenham, White Hart Lane ward would join the new Southgate and Wood Green constituency and Harringay would join Hornsey and Friern Barnet, but two wards from neighbouring Hackney – Woodberry Down and Brownswood – would be added instead.
It marks a significant departure from the previous plans published in 2021, which proposed the creation of a new Finchley and Muswell Hill seat in the far west of the borough. It had also proposed to split West Green ward from Tottenham, which would have meant the removal of Broadwater Farm Estate from the seat. After drawing objections from Tottenham MP David Lammy, this move is no longer being proposed.
In a report explaining its rationale for the creation of a Southgate and Wood Green seat, the Boundary Commission stated: “The assistant commissioners […] considered that the borough boundary is very permeable between Bowes/New Southgate and Woodside/Bounds Green, and they observed that the Piccadilly Line links the Wood Green area all the way to the northern extent of the Southgate and Wood Green constituency in Cockfosters ward.”
The Boundary Commission had taken into consideration more than 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation and has changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback. A third and final consultation on the new map of revised constituency proposals is open now until 5th December.
There had previously been plans to reduce the total number of MPs in the House of Commons from 650 to 600, but the current review proposes the number remain at 650. The rebalancing of seats to give a more consistent size across constituencies does however mean the number of English constituencies increasing from 533 to 543.
After the final consultation period has closed, final recommendations will be submitted to parliament on 1st July 2023. If they are approved, any general election held after this date will adopt the new boundaries.
Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “Today’s publication is the culmination of months of analysis and we have revised nearly half of our initial proposals based on what people have told us. We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.
“However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to parliament next year. This is our final consultation and I encourage you to participate in the 2023 Boundary Review.”
View the Boundary Commission proposals and have your say before 5th December:
Tottenham MP David Lammy said: “Of course it’s sad to see residents of Harringay and White Hart Lane wards, who I have represented for many years, pass into other constituencies.
“I also recognise this will be a change for the people of Woodbery Down and Brownswood wards, but I have a great relationship with [Hackney] mayor Philip Glanville and Hackney Council and I have known the wider area of Manor House, Stamford Hill and Clapton all my life. I look forward to representing their interests in parliament.
“Overall, I’m pleased that the proposals protect the integrity of the Tottenham constituency as a whole.”
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