Following the publication of the proposed new Parliamentary Boundaries by the Boundary Commission for England, Simon Hoare, MP said, "North Dorset as a constituency has existed since 1885 and I therefore believe the new seat should retain North Dorset in its title. Creating a cross boundary seat is not desirable as it would operate under two councils, Police Commissioners, Local Enterprise Partnerships and health services. Clearly this duplication generates challenges but I don't believe them to be, of themselves, insurmountable.
"While boundary reviews are interesting I want North Dorset voters to have no doubt that I am focused fully on serving and meeting their needs during this Parliament."
The Boundary Commission has published proposals for reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600. This affects Dorset and Wiltshire as they both have to reduce their number of MPs. This creates a cross county boundary seat of Shaftesbury and Warminster, taking in the North Dorset constituency North of Blandford. The other half of the constituency including all the part that falls in East Dorset District Council area, Abbey Ward, Blandford and the constituency south of Blandford would form part of a new Blandford and Wimborne constituency. To see details of the proposed changes, please visit www.bce2018.org.uk. There is a 12 week consultation which started on 14th September.