Would somebody like to consider the impact of boundary changes on representative democracy.
When the boundary changes for the 2010 general election were announced, the then Liberal Democrat MP Julia Goldsworthy opted to stand in Camborne Redruth. Rightly or wrongly, some of her constituents in Falmouth and Penryn sensed reduced interest in their concerns.
Very draft, but numerically driven, boundary proposals for the 2015 general election were published in September. The 2010 elected Tory MP, Sarah Newton, swiftly announced that subject to final boundaries and Tory selections, she will not stand again in Falmouth.
So, after just sixteen months, another Falmouth and Penryn MP appears to be on the move.
Falmouth and Penryn are great places to live. Falmouth beaches, the Fal estuary and Carrick roads are unique as well as beautiful.
This year is the 350th anniversary of Falmouth as a charter town, and you have to hand it to the restoration monarchy for recognising the new port’s potential in 1661; its the third deepest natural harbour in the world.
It’s a place where democracy is real. In three out of four of the most recent general elections, the Party in third place at the previous election won: Candy Atherton (Labour) in 1997, Julia Goldsworthy (LD) in 2005, Sarah Newton (Con) in 2010.
You might think, in the twenty first century, with an Environment and Sustainability Research Institute on the local Tremough Campus, the town of Falmouth could have a decent shot at sustainability, economically as well as environmentally.
But the Tories lead the Government. So an aero hub zone at Newquay on the north coast will be the Cornwall Local Economic Partnership (LEP) investment focus.
Apparently, in the new year, Natural England will consult on proposals to create a protected conservation area in Carrick roads which would put paid for ever to the Falmouth docks masterplan which includes dredging a deeper channel to bring larger ships inshore.
Which planet are they from?
Falmouth needs a sustainable economy with new jobs, including in renewable energy.
