Local Campaign Victory – Chelsea Stays as One
Rt Hon Greg Hands MP for Chelsea and Fulham reporting back
The Chelsea and Fulham constituency likely to be kept
Last month we have been able to celebrate a local victory: The huge local campaign to keep Chelsea in one parliamentary constituency has been a success. There will be no West Chelsea and East Chelsea as originally proposed by the Boundary Commission. Chelsea will remain united with Fulham, as it has been since 2010. I campaigned hard on this important issue. This fantastic result could not have been achieved without the staggering 1,200 representations made by individual residents, resident associations and other local stakeholders in opposition to the initial proposals of the Boundary Commission for the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster area.
Deep concern was raised by many respondents over the division of Chelsea into two constituencies and the division of the Royal Borough into three constituencies.
In their report, the Boundary Commission highlighted that many representations drew attention to the King’s Road – the ‘historic central artery’ of Chelsea being divided into two constituencies. My own submission was quoted in the report that ‘cutting the King’s Road apart would be hugely detrimental to the continuity of both historic and cultural community ties’. Other respondents also argued that many quintessential Chelsea institutions and landmarks would be separated into different constituencies under our initial proposals, with the Royal Hospital and Sloane Square, for example, being included in a constituency with Westminster. Respondents further noted that the proposals would divide several conservation areas and ‘character areas’ in Chelsea.
The counter proposal, which was put forward by me together with neighbouring Kensington MP Felicity Buchan, detailed an alternative proposal for constituencies of Chelsea & Fulham and (the re-named) Kensington & Bayswater. The Boundary Commission reflected that the counter-proposal would closely reflect the existing Chelsea & Fulham constituency, thereby keeping the Chelsea community together.
The Commission recognised the strength of opposition to their initial proposals in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and praised the quality of evidence received which resulted in their recommendation that that our counter-proposal for the constituencies of Chelsea & Fulham and Kensington & Bayswater should be adopted.
New proposed boundary of Chelsea and Fulham constituency
On the Fulham side, at the north-western end of the constituency, the Fulham wards Fulham Reach and West Kensington will be added to the Chelsea & Fulham constituency in this boundary change. I look forward to welcoming these familiar local areas into the Chelsea & Fulham constituency.
You can read my detailed submission to the Boundary Commission here .
You can read their full report here.
Kind regards,
Greg Hands
The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP
Member of Parliament for Chelsea and Fulham
You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for @GregHands
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December 12, 2022