2018 REVIEW – SECONDARY CONSULTATION RESPONSE

ROBBIE BUTLER MLA

Response ID: BHLF-33PK-2YXZ-X Submitted to 2018 Review: Secondary Consultation

Postal area:

Name: Robbie Butler MLA

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Organisation - please enter 'None' if this does not apply: Ulster Unionist Party

Comments on Ulster Unionist Party submission:

Dear Sir/Madam I am writing in my capacity as a Lagan Valley MLA regarding the ongoing consultation regarding the Boundary Commission’s proposals for new Parliamentary boundaries for the current Lagan Valley constituency. The Commission’s proposals would split the City of Lisburn in two and transfer the bulk of it into a modified South Antrim which would stretch from Lisburn up to Antrim town and across to Glengormley which is situated North of Belfast. It will separate Lisburn from its southern and western hinterlands of Hillsborough, Dromore and Moira, towns which many former Lisburn residents naturally migrate to, and these would then form part of a new West Down constituency. I would argue that there is no rational argument for splitting the City of Lisburn, Northern Ireland's second largest city, cutting of historical connections and community bonds. Similarly there is simply little or no logic for the new constituency of West Down which expands from Bandbridge and Portadown in the west to Carryduff in the east, with Hillsborough, Drumbo, Hillhall, Blaris being paired with Bleary and Waringstown. This new constituency has no centre and destroys numerous longstanding community ties. It would appear to me that such has been the desire to reduce Belfast from four to three constituencies that little consideration has been given to boundaries outside of Belfast. I understand the Commission has received a number of submissions from other parties - including my own party, the Ulster Unionists – which would retain a Lagan Valley constituency with Lisburn at its core and with its southern hinterland reunited with the city. This would preserve local ties and identities and I therefore strongly urge the Commission to retain Lagan Valley as a constituency, based on the proposals put forward by the Ulster Unionist Party.

Kind regards

Robbie Butler

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