RUDDINGTON IN THE NEWS ….

You might have wondered exactly what was happening earlier this month when reporters from a number of local (and less local) newspapers and other media descended on our village. Ruddington became the centre of attention when a report from the Boundary Commission suggested that our Parliamentary Constituency of Rushcliffe might disappear. The proposals would put Ruddington in a new constituency called “Coalville and Keyworth” and whilst Keyworth is well known to residents and is less than 4 miles away, Coalville is around 25 miles away – a 40 minute journey by car!
The Nottingham Post reported that Ruddington has been part of the Rushcliffe constituency since 1885 and if the proposals are adopted, Ken Clarke, who has represented Rushcliffe for 41 years, will be left without a seat. The plans are designed to reduce the number of MPs from 533 to 502 and to even out the number of voters in each constituency.
Reporters from the Nottingham Post, local radio and even, we believe, a Coalville newspaper, have been asking residents what they think about the proposed changes and so far it seems that Ruddington has very definite ideas of what it does and doesn’t want!
Of course, Ruddington is not the only village that might be affected by these changes if they should happen – Gotham, also currently in Rushcliffe Constituency, will be moved into Broxtowe which is 17 miles away.
The Parish Council would like to remind residents that these proposals are for Parliamentary Constituencies and would not affect your Parish or Borough Councillors or your County Councillor or their boundaries. 
According to the Nottingham Post, the proposals are out to consultation until 5^th December 2011 and the Boundary Commission is inviting comments. For more information or to leave your comments, visit the website: http://www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/ and follow the link to East Midlands and “Have Your Say” or write to Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.