Boundary changes could impact MPs in key Jewish areas

The fate of MPs in constituencies with the largest Jewish communities could be dramatically altered by proposals unveiled today.

Wholesale boundary changes have been proposed across the country in move that will have widespread repercussions at the next General Election.

One of the MPs with the greatest to lose if the proposals move ahead is Tory Mike Freer, who was reelected in 2015 with a majority of over 5,500.

Under the recommendations, his Finchley and Golders Green seat will become a new constituency Finchley and Southgate, in which the Labour candidate will likely be favorite.

The seat will lose Golders Green and Church End wards to the newly created Hendon constituency, making it safe Tory territory.

The borough’s third seat, Chipping Barnet, will take in Cockfosters as well as Mill Hill ward, one of the most populous Jewish areas in the country.

There will also be concern for Labour’s Tulip Siddiq, whose Hampstead and Kilburn seat could be scrapped. The new seat of Hampstead and Golders will include both Childs Hill and Hampstead Garden Suburb, one of London’s safest Tory wards, giving the Tories a small notional edge.

Speaking to Jewish News, Tulip Siddiq MP said: “The arbitrary reduction of 50 elected MPs under the guise of “reducing the cost of politics”, while the Conservatives pack the House of Lords with donors and political advisors, severely compromises the integrity of our democratic process. It is expected that the proposals will go through several iterations, however my entire focus is on helping the residents of Hampstead and Kilburn to overcome the many challenges facing our local area.”

The current two Ilford seats will become one, paving the way for a very safe majority for Wes Streeting with the other Ilford seat held by Mike Gapes remaining safe Labour territory.

Observers warned however that more than half of the proposals were subject to change during the last round of boundary change proposals.

Meanwhile, suggestions that Jeremy Corbyn’s Islington North seat could be scrapped brought a round of applause when the issue was raised by Maureen Lipman at tonight’s British Emunah dinner.