Neighbours on a New Malden street could be split into two different constituencies if plans to change local constituencies are given the green light. 

Boundary Commission England (BCE) has put forward changes to constituencies across the country to the government, with the new outlines likely to be approved. 

The change would see residents on the south side of Green Lane incorporated into Conservative MP Stephen Hammond's constituency, while the north side would stay under Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey.  

South side Green Lane residents are left in the "confusing" and "ridiculous" situation as their council tax will continue to go to Kingston Council, despite being part of the Wimbledon constituency. 

Tash Dempsey, masseuse and mother-of-two, admitted she was "not very politically active" but said she was unsure how the "local issues [she] was experiencing could be solved" by a Wimbledon MP. 

"Maybe shaking things up wouldn't be a bad thing," she told Nub News.  

Green Lane residents on the south side of the street (right) could be moved into the Wimbledon constituency while the north (left) stay in Kingston. (Photo: Emily Dalton)

Polling stations for the incoming Wimbledon constituents would also change.  

Residents would no longer be able to vote at St. James Church Hall, just metres away, but would be forced to trek nearly 20 minutes to Bodley Road.  

"I normally take the kids," Ms Demspey added, "but it just makes it awkward." 

Ms Dempsey maintained she would still "make the effort to vote" but [she] knows people wouldn't."  

Some residents expressed disbelief and shock at the news their street was changing to Wimbledon. 

Margaret Slade, retired, said: "It's ridiculous! Why do they have to change it?" 

South side Green Lane residents will remain in the borough of Kingston and the council will continue to provide local services such as waste collection, licensing, business support, social care, education, planning proposals, housing and safety.  

Eddie Hollis, a local driving examiner, said: "We've always been part of New Malden." 

Mr Hollis added he did not feel "at all represented" by a Conservative MP. He said: "With the cost-of-living and everything going up- it's a bit of a struggle." 

Policing, school places, transport routes, state of health care and social services are some of the issues Hammond will have to contend with- despite these issues being under the responsibility of Kingston Council.  

In response to residents' concerns, Mr Hammond said: "I have a long track record of fighting for my constituents' interests and helping solve their problems. I can assure everyone in the new constituency that I shall aim to represent them to the best of my ability, and treat everyone equally regardless of how they voted or where they live."

Councillor Calls for Change 

Residents on either side of Green Lane will remain in St James and Green Lane ward, under Cllr James Giles.  

Cllr Giles said: "We are in a frankly ridiculous situation where the new Parliamentary boundaries use old and outdated local election boundaries that have not been used for an election since 2018." 

Constituent boundaries 2019 elections (Left), constituent boundaries proposed for the next general election. (Photo: Electoral Calcalus map)

 Cllr Giles said he will see around two-thirds of the ward move to the 'Wimbledon' constituency. 

The Kingston Independent Residents Group (KIRG) added: "We urged the Boundary Commission to keep New and Old Malden in the 'Kingston and Surbiton' constituency, as it has been for the last 26 years, but the Liberal Democrats and Labour supported kicking us out and lumping us with Wimbledon." 

Cllr Giles noted: "The BBC described the decision as a 'relief' for Sir Edward Davey."  

Although this was in the context of the final reporting including minimal changes to his constituency, rather than the previous November proposals.  

Mr Hammond said he was "somewhat surprised" on the Commission's final determination. He commented: "I understand that many people in the Maldens area will be confused as to how the Boundary Commission reached their decision. That is equally applicable to Cannon Hill ward which is currently part of Wimbledon and will be in the Mitcham constituency following the next election.

"The Boundary Commission has a stated ambition not to split areas if possible but it is not unusual. It is not uncommon outside London for an MP to represent constituents in different council areas."

Commission draws the line 

Explaining the redesign of the boundaries, the BCE said: "It was acknowledged by the Commission that there was some opposition to the inclusion of the St James ward in the Wimbledon constituency, and the Commission made a site visit to the area before determining their final recommendations.  

The BCE admitted the initial proposals of Old Malden and St James's to be moved to Wimbledon were "almost unanimously opposed" as to residents would look to Surrey for services rather than Wimbledon.  

Following a political ping-pong between the initial proposal with Coombe Hill Ward in Kingston, after consultation on revised proposals, Commissioners visited both wards and decided the infrastructure was the "most appropriate to Wimbledon constituency".  

The report stated: "We considered these wards have the best physical links among the options explored." 

New lines, old boundaries 

In determining the boundaries of constituencies in the 2023 Review, the Commission was statutorily required to ensure all recommended constituencies had to have no less than 69,724 Parliamentary electors and no more than 77,062.  

It also had used the boundaries of the local government wards established by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), as they were on 2 March 2020. 

However, from September 2019 to July 2020, the LGBCE was consulting residents on draft recommendations for new ward boundaries.  

The council wards had not been altered since 1999; therefore, the independent commission reviewed the boundaries to ensure each councillor represented approximately the same number of votes. The commission also considered community interests and ties.  

Map of ward boundaries from 1999 (Left), map of ward boundary proposals from November 2020 (right). (Photo: National Archives, Local Government Boundary Commission)

Green Lane, previously part of Beverly ward, was now tied into St. James' ward. This ward boundary, that runs along Green Lane, now forms the boundary between the newly configured constituencies.  

Consequently, the BCE's proposals have been drafted on the former ward arrangements from 1999, 24 years ago.  

Despite finalising the drafts in 2021, the new ward boundaries did not come into force until the next local election in May 2022.  

The BCE submitted its final recommendations to Parliament 27 June 2023, formally ending its involvement in the 2023 Review. 

A spokesperson for the Commission said: "no further amendments to constituency boundaries are now possible." 

It added: "Any changes to local government wars boundaries are the responsibility of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE)." 

The next stage is the government will draft and Order containing the recommendations of all four Parliamentary Boundary Commissions; once approved by the Privy Council the new constituency lines will be used for the next general election.  

Ed Davey has been contacted for comment.