Lewisham and Greenwich proposed boundary changes a 'big waste of money' (From News Shopper)

Lewisham and Greenwich proposed boundary changes a 'big waste of money'

12:10pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Sarah Trotter

BOUNDARY changes have been called a "big waste of money" as doubt remains whether they can be pushed through Parliament.

Under the new proposals – part of a review by the Boundary Commission for England to reduce seats nationally – Lewisham and Greenwich would be redrawn leaving five MPs instead of six.

Central Greenwich would remain a single constituency but with Catford and Lee Green linked on as "Greenwich and Lewisham Central".

Previous controversial plans to merge Thamesmead into other boundaries have been scrapped with "Thamesmead and Plumstead" suggested instead.

However, Woolwich would be carved up with a new "Woolwich Riverside" included in an "Eltham and Charlton" constituency, while Deptford would combine with Southwark under "Deptford and Rotherhithe".

Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander said: "My big concern is that this exercise is a big waste of money.

"I don’t think that the government will be able to get this proposal through because the Liberal democrats have said they will vote against the boundary changes.

"So what I think about the latest proposals is pretty academic."

She added that the current proposals made more sense than the previous ones.

Consultation is ongoing until December 10 and to get involved visit boundarycomissionforengland.independent.gov.uk