I AM writing in respect of the LGBCE review of the Dorset County Council electoral boundaries.

As the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for North Dorset, I am writing to state my view is that the draft recommendation for the town of Blandford Forum is badly flawed.

As it stands, The recommendation would slice the Bryanston Park area of the town from the rest of it, and would add this significantly large section of the town to the rural Winterborne Division.

This would effectively join an urban area, which includes the local senior school, to a rural area, which is obviously unsatisfactory in terms of LGBCE’s own stated criteria, namely: ‘That the pattern of divisions should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities.

I would add that it is important, In my view, that the county council boundaries should reflect, as far as possible, the boundaries being applied in the district council: the area of Blandford contained in the proposed transfer of the Western quarter of Blandford is currently contained within the Blandford Old Town district council ward.

Furthermore, there are no historical associations between this part of Blandford and the Winterborne Division, which I am aware of, which would in any way justify such a transfer.

In conclusion, I have written to LGBCE to ask them to think again in their stated quest to ensure that there is ‘electoral equality’ between Dorset County Council divisions, as far as Blandford and the surrounding area is concerned.

HUGO MIEVILLE

Liberal Democrat PPC, North Dorset