ALLIANCE PARTY

Response submitted by: SAM NELSON

Postal area: BT7

Response ID: BHLF-FFDS-VS1P-D

Composite comments regarding the proposals

Please find attached, the Alliance Party response to the Boundary Commission’s Provisional Proposals Report.

On behalf of the Alliance Party, I would like to thank the commission for the opportunity to respond.

Alliance Party 88 University Street BT7 1HE

November 2016

Alliance Party response to the Boundary Commission for ’s ‘Provisional Proposals Report’

Introduction:

The Alliance Party welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Provisional Proposals Report, as proposed by the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland (The Commission) in November 2016. Alliance members and elected representatives have attended all the public hearings to engage fully throughout the consultation process. Alliance has a long-standing record of positive and constructive engagement throughout boundary review consultations at all levels.

In advance of this response, Alliance consulted with party members across Northern Ireland to get views and opinions from electors with local knowledge in each area. We hope this is useful work for The Commission to consider.

Before addressing the specific proposals, Alliance would also like to note concern that mandatory five year reviews could well lead to significant and consistent disruption of boundaries in the future. This is particularly true in the context of a region as small as Northern Ireland, currently sitting on the cusp of being a 17 or 16 seat region. The potential disruption is made worse by the fact that Northern Ireland Assembly elections are fought on Westminster boundaries.

Finally, it is also worth noting that whilst it is important to create good, well balanced boundaries that meet the range requirements and take account of local factors, the first past the post system will always undermine the proportionality of a constituency. A system of proportional representation would complement any future boundaries by ensuring fair and proportionate elections.

Overview:

The Alliance Party would like to recognise the difficult task facing the commission in drawing up a set of proposals which take account of special geographical considerations; local government boundaries; local ties; and the current 18 constituencies, whilst working within the requirement of the quota range.

It must be noted from the offset that the legislative requirement to work within the effective quota range of 71,031 to 78,507 (or 69,401 if The Commission deems necessary in protecting local areas) is tighter than previous requirements and will inevitably produce imperfect boundaries. The key must be to minimise these as consistently as possible, rather than protect any one constituency boundary over another.

Likewise, it must also be noted that the requirement to reduce the number of constituency boundaries from 18 to 17 will inevitably result in significant change to all 18 boundaries. The priority must be placed on producing 17 stable boundaries that can withstand future reviews and minimise future change, therefore protecting local ties.

With this in mind, Alliance is in full agreement with The Commission that Belfast must drop to a 4 seat constituency. As stated in the Provisional Proposals, Belfast is now well under 4 quotas and to sustain a four seat Belfast would require the city to stretch too far out into the outer suburbs, undermining the identity of the capital city. A four seat Belfast would also require much more significant change to the boundaries outside Belfast. The concentrated population centre of Belfast means it is already split and so it is less disruptive to simply rework that split..

The Alliance Party is broadly supportive of the provisional proposals as a good attempt to fulfil the requirements in a workable manner. However, whilst recognising the difficulty in proposing changes that can have a knock-on impact across Northern Ireland, we would like to suggest some relatively straight forward changes to improve geographical considerations, local ties and the future stability of the boundaries. These are mostly based around the greater Belfast constituencies where higher density population centres and a near-by coast can often make it difficult to form clean boundary lines.

On top of a number of smaller changes, the Alliance Party proposals seek to offer a better solution for , Newtownabbey, Craigavon and Dungannon. All areas contain significant suburban populations surrounding greater Belfast and the Provisional Proposals do not go far enough to protect their respective identities.

Finally, with the recent work to clean up the NI register and a corresponding decision to remove 67,433 electors - coupled with a reported increase of registered electors in GB due to the EU referendum – it must be recognised that Northern Ireland will possibly suffer negatively in the future allocation of constituencies. If there is any future change in the allocation of constituencies, it is likely to see a drop from 17 to 16. This would clearly cause further significant change to any boundaries and so should at least be noted when formulating boundaries to help avoid future disruption.

Belfast East:

The Alliance Party believes that The Commission’s approach to begin by looking at Belfast is sound, given that the quota of the existing Belfast constituencies amounts to 3.48. We further agree with the proposals that the only workable outcome from this is to reduce Belfast to three seats. To sustain a four seat Belfast would require boundaries that stretch far beyond the natural limits of the city. This would require some unnatural territory to be included in the Belfast constituencies simply to retain the four, ignoring key factors like local ties and geographical considerations. Furthermore, the decision to link Belfast with the new City Council boundary is sensible and will ensure the identity of the capital city is reinforced.

The decision to use the river as a boundary line between the East and South West of the City is sound and sits in line with the need to consider special geographical considerations such as main rivers. The use of the City Council boundary to the East of the proposed East Belfast then sits in line with reinforcing the City Council boundary. This is a clear and logical constituency and a good place to start.

Belfast East ward proposals (Electorate of 72,001) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,528 Ballymacarrett 3,085 Merok 3,443 Beersbridge 3,405 Orangefield 3,534 Belmont 3,409 Ormeau 3,422 Belvoir 3,062 Ravenhill 3,474 Bloomfield 3,636 Rosetta 3,532 Connswater 3,207 Sandown 3,150 3,755 Shandon 3,478 Garnerville 3,667 Stormont 3,563 Gilnahirk 3,333 Sydenham 3,588 Hillfoot 3,072 Woodstock 3,658 Knock

Belfast South West / Belfast North West:

The proposed Belfast South West and Belfast North West are not as simple to divide. The commission has deemed it necessary to breach the City Council boundary on the North of the City. This results in North West Belfast taking in the Glengormley Urban ward of Collinbridge and the Macedon ward of Valley.

This is undoubtedly a cleaner approach than expanding the South West of the City, with Collinbridge and Valley sharing key transport routes to Belfast via the main routes of the Antrim Road and the Shore Road. Residents in these wards would also look more naturally to Belfast as a centre, rather than wards in the South West of the city that just as likely look towards Lisburn as a main centre.

It must be noted, however, that this approach remains imperfect, in that it starts a chain of events that later leads to the Glengormley Urban area being split into four parliamentary constituencies. Whilst this is not ideal, it is the best possible fit within the commission’s approach.

Having carefully studied the different possibilities in Belfast North West and Belfast South West the Alliance Party believes there are two alternative options that would further preserve the boundary of the City Council and prevent Glengormley being cut into four parliamentary boundaries.

Option 1: By using the discretion afforded to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland to use a lower threshold of 69,401 electors per constituency, it could explore the option of removing the wards of Collinbridge and Valley from the proposed Belfast North West and adding the ward of Ballymurphy. This would leave Belfast North West with a total electorate of 70,215 and Belfast South West with an electorate of 70,266, both within the lower range.

Not only does this significantly reinforce The Commission’s stated aim to “as far as possible, match the borders of Belfast City Council”, it also protects local ties in Glengomley by creating additional flexibility and preventing the break-up of a clear and settled community in to four parliamentary constituencies. Collinbridge can join its natural neighbouring wards of Hightown and Mallusk and Belfast Zoo then acts as a natural border between South Antrim and the Belfast ward of Bellevue.

Belfast North West ward proposals – option 1 (Electorate of 70,215) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,645 Ardoyne 3,377 Ballymurphy 3,994 Ballygomartin 3,237 Falls 3,333 Ballysillan 3,112 Forth River 3,497 Beechmount 3,290 Fortwilliam 3,386 Bellevue 3,700 Innisfayle 3,295 Cavehill 3,540 Legoniel 3,688 Chichester Park 3,310 New Lodge 3,574 Cliftonville 3,997 Shankill 3,665 Clonard 3,757 Water Works 3,731 Duncairn 3,087 Woodvale

Belfast South West ward proposals – option 1 (Electorate of 70,266) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,641 Andersonstown 3,472 Musgrave 3,682 Blackstaff 3,677 Poleglass 4,342 Central 3,816 Shaw’s Road 3,888 Colin Glen 3,566 Stewartstown 3,774 Dunmurry 3,832 Stranmillis 3,646 Falls Park 3,472 Turf Lodge 3,406 Finaghy 3,338 Twinbrook 3,632 Ladybrook 3,470 Upper Malone 4,409 Lagmore 3,804 Windsor 3,399 Malone

Option 2: Move Collinbridge in to South Antrim and Ballymurphy in to Belfast North West. This would give Belfast North West an electorate of 72,421 and Belfast South West an electorate of 70,266.

This option requires the commission to use the discretionary lower threshold in Belfast South West only and again tidies Glengormley slightly but does not give the added advantage of reinforcing the new Belfast City Council boundary.

Belfast North West ward proposals – option 2 (Electorate of 72,421) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,645 Ardoyne 3,237 Falls 3,994 Ballygomartin 3,112 Forth River 3,333 Ballysillan 3,290 Fortwilliam 3,497 Beechmount 3,700 Innisfayle 3,386 Bellevue 3,540 Legoniel 3,295 Cavehill 3,310 New Lodge 3,688 Chichester Park 3,997 Shankill 3,574 Cliftonville 3,757 Water Works 3,665 Clonard 3,087 Woodvale 3,731 Duncairn 2,206 Valley 3,377 Ballymurphy

Belfast South West ward proposals – option 2 (Electorate of 70,266) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,641 Andersonstown 3,472 Musgrave 3,682 Blackstaff 3,677 Poleglass 4,342 Central 3,816 Shaw’s Road 3,888 Colin Glen 3,566 Stewartstown 3,774 Dunmurry 3,832 Stranmillis 3,646 Falls Park 3,472 Turf Lodge 3,406 Finaghy 3,338 Twinbrook 3,632 Ladybrook 3,470 Upper Malone 4,409 Lagmore 3,804 Windsor 3,399 Malone North / :

The Commission has proposed to move the wards of Ballyhanwood; Carrowreagh; Dundonald; Enler; and Graham’s Bridge in to North Down. However, these wards sit more comfortably with Ards, with the main A20 road connecting the two. The Alliance Party would therefore propose that these wards move to the Strangford constituency.

This then requires the North Down constituency to take in additional wards to make up the number of electors. The West of the constituency already forms a neat break between North Down and Belfast East, and the Ards Town wards to the South are integral to the Strangford constituency. Alliance would therefore propose that the wards that now sits with the new North Down and Ards council join the North Down constituency, reinforcing newly forged local ties. The wards of Loughries; ; ; ; Kircubbin; and should therefore be added to the proposed North Down to form a neat, coastal North Down and Peninsula constituency with 79,443 electors.

This is 936 electors over the quota range. However, there is a simple solution to bring this below the range. The Loughries ward stretches from the Eastern part of Ards town to the Peninsula coast, taking in . A simple split, perhaps along the Windmill Road would bring North Down within range whilst also keeping Ards town intact.

The new Strangford constituency minus the peninsula wards - but with the added Dundonald wards - gives a constituency with an electorate of 69,651. The Western part of the Loughries ward would approximately add a further 1,000. There is then further scope to tidy the area of Castlereagh South by adding the wards of , Knockbracken, Beechill and West. This also prevents Carryduff being split, as in the Provisional Proposals, and places Castlereagh East and Castlereagh South neatly together in one constituency. This brings Strangford over the range so it is then necessary to move the ward of and , which looks towards , to South Down which brings Strangford to 75,971 electors and South Down to 76,924

North Down ward proposals (Electorate of approx. 78,400) 79,443 minus approximately 1,000 from the West of the Loughries ward Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,602 Ballycrochan 3,117 3,202 Ballygrainey 2,714 Kilcooley 2,891 Ballyholme 2,846 Loughview 2,995 Ballymagee 2,462 Rathgael 2,804 Bloomfield 2,890 Rathmore 2,786 Broadway 2,867 Silverbirch 2,863 Bryansburn 2,531 Silverstream 2,772 Castle 2,952 Warren 2,717 1,800 Loughries (split) 2,915 2,917 Carrowdore 2,890 3,161 Ballywalter 2,875 2,569 Portavogie 3,006 Harbour 2,920 Kircubbin 2,790 Helen’s Bay 2,559 Portaferry

Strangford ward proposals (Electorate of 77,000) 75,971 plus approx. 1,000 from the West of the Loughview ward Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,063 2,385 Cairnshill 2,738 North 2,490 Carryduff East 2,750 Comber South 2,320 Carryduff West 2,681 Comber West 2,304 Galwally 2,886 Conway Square 2,000 Newtownbreda 3,198 Cronstown 2,488 Knockbracken 3,056 Glen 2,396 Beechill 2,537 Gregstown 2,126 2,590 2,228 Ballyhanwood 2,549 Movilla 3,081 Carrowreagh 3,078 Scrabo 2,243 Dundonald 2,843 West Winds 2,175 Enler 2,884 Ballynahinch 2,139 Graham’s Bridge 2,920 Derryboy 1,000 Loughries (split) 2,817 Kilmore 3,006

Lagan Valley:

The Provisional Proposals draw a boundary line through Lisburn town, along the county boundary line. This proposal splits the third largest urban settlement in two, placing the town at the outer reaches of two constituencies with no clear population centre or shared identity. Alliance proposals seek to correct this by retaining Lisburn as a whole and restoring something like the current Lagan Valley boundary, where the North Eastern boundary remains largely the same and the Northern boundary takes in Stonyford, uniting it with its Killultagh neighbours.

The full Lisburn DEAs of Downshire East, Downshire West, Lisburn North, Lisburn South and Killultagh should be kept together as an existing area with strong local ties. The ward of Stonyford looks towards Lisburn and should also become part of a Lisburn based Lagan Valley.

The wards of Dromore, Gransha, Quilly and Magherlin remain part of Lagan Valley, as also proposed in the Provisional Report, keeping the Southern part of the boundary quite similar to the current Lagan Valley. This gives the new Lagan Valley an electorate of 76,419.

The outer Lurgan wards and can then sit with their respective Western neighbours Portadown and Armagh.

Lagan Valley ward proposals (Electorate of 76,419) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,293 Ballymacbrennan 2,503 Wallace Park 2,440 2,290 Ballymacash 2,214 3,064 Mallymacross 2,584 2,519 Knockmore 2,258 Ravernet 2,083 Lagan Valley 2,201 Blaris 2,223 Lisnagarvey 2,545 Hillsborough 2,397 Old Warren 2,339 Lagan 2,693 Ballinderry 2,211 Maze 2,701 Maghaberry 2,534 Moira 3,478 White Mountain 2,616 Derryaghy 2,122 Stonyford 2,257 Harmony Hill 3,122 Dromore 2,449 Hilden 3,290 Gransha 2,291 Lambeg 3,012 Quilly 2,318 Magheralave 3,372 Magherlin

Banbridge and Craigavon:

The Alliance proposals seek to group together the areas around Banbridge and Craigavon to create a constituency that better reflects local ties in the area. It prevents the outer Lurgan wards being separated from Craigavon, as in the Provisional Proposals, and respects the North East boundary of the new Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. It creates a Banbridge and Craigavon constituency with 76,872 electors.

Although it would be neat for the wards of Loughgall and Blackwatertown to remain part of the and Armagh constituency, this is not possible within the range. Instead, the wards of Loughgall and Mahon should be included in the Banbridge and Craigavon constituency and the ward of Blackwatertown should be placed in the Newry and Armagh constituency, giving it an electorate of 75,389.

Banbridge and Craigavon ward proposals (Electorate of 76,872) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 3,148 Banbridge East 3,760 Shankill 3,129 Banbridge North 3,326 3,311 Banbridge South 3,681 Brownlow 3,623 Banbridge West 3,349 Craigavon 3,250 Gilford 3,367 Derrytrasna 3,734 Warringstown 3,257 Kernan 3,290 2,946 Corcrain 3,408 Aghallon 2,773 Killycomain 2,972 Knocknashane 3,743 The Birches 3,328 Lough Road 3,008 Ballybay 3,256 Mourneview 3,151 Mahon 3,394 Parklake 3,676 Loughgall

Fermanagh and South Tyrone:

The above proposal of a Banbridge and Craigavon constituency and the simple inclusion of Blackwatertown in Newry and Armagh enables the wards of Caledon and Moy to remain part of a Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, respecting the county boundary and bringing the electorate up to 77,786.

North Tyrone:

There is then some further scope to tidy the remaining Western constituencies, starting with the Torrent and Dungannon wards of Killyman, Killymeal, Ballysagart, Moygashel, Coalisland North and Coalisland South moving into the proposed North Tyrone. These wards are somewhat stranded in the Provisional Proposal of an Upper Bann and Blackwater boundary and the Alliance proposal is a better means of protecting these local ties. To bring the North Tyrone constituency within quota it is then necessary to move the wards of Dunnamanagh, Glenelly Valley and Artigarvan to the proposed

Glenshane constituency, which will be dealt with in more detail below. The electorate of the Alliance Party’s proposed North Tyrone amounts to 76,837.

North Tyrone ward proposals (Electorate of 76,837) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,015 Beragh 2,559 Donaghmore 2,182 Camowen 2,033 Loughry 2,184 Coolnagard 2,097 Mullaghmore 1,711 Dergmoney 2,321 Oaklands 2,053 Drumnakilly 2,552 Pomeroy 2,157 Fariy Water 2,162 Stewartstown 2,028 Gortin 2,570 Ballycolman 2,090 Gortrush 2,807 Finn 2,070 Killyclogher 2,610 Sion Mills 1,970 Owenkillew 2,513 Strabane North 1,980 Sixmilecross 2,393 Strabane West 1,705 Strule 2,156 Killyman 1,832 Termon 2,053 Killymeal 2,622 Ardboe 1,947 Ballysaggart 2,282 Coagh 1,874 Moygashel 1,974 Cookstown East 2,383 Coalisland North 2,206 Cookstown South 2,476 Coalisland South 2,270 Cookstown West

Foyle / Glenshane:

A simple inclusion of the Greysteel and Claudy wards, which both look towards Derry/Londonderry, brings the Foyle electorate up to 76,830 and creates flexibility to create a Glenshane that, as proposed above, also includes the wards of Dunnamanagh, Glenelly Valley and Artigarvan. Whilst there is no real issue with the proposed Glenshane, this small adjustment has created the flexibility to significantly tidy the boundary around Dungannon and Coalisland, as outlined above. The electorate of the new Glenshane would amount to 76,354.

Glenshane ward proposals (Electorate of 76,354) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,528 Aghadowey 2,554 Coolshinny 2,205 Altahullion 2,055 Draperstown 2,318 Ballykelly 2,388 Glebe 2,038 Coolessan 2,459 Lissan 2,354 Drumsurn 2,249 Lower Glenshane 2,401 Dungiven 2,280 Maghera 2,292 Feeny 2,377 Swatragh 2,287 Garvagh 2,467 Tamlaght O’Crilly 2,306 Greystone 2,704 The Loup 2,530 Kilrea 2,481 Tobermore 2,389 Macosquin 2,320 Town Parks East 2,269 Magilligan 2,406 Valley 2,085 Roeside 2,494 Park 2,614 Ballymaguigan 2,461 Dunnamanagh 2,556 Bellaghy 2,406 Glenelly Valley 2,517 Castledawson 2,564 Artigarvan

South Antrim:

A revised South Antrim should be based around a core Antrim Town and Newtownabbey constituency, taking in the full DEAs of Antrim, Dunsilly, Airport, Ballyclare, Glengormley Urban and Macedon.

The Three Mile Water DEA can then be split so that the wards of Fairview and Ballyduff can remain connected to their Carnmoney and Glengormley neighbours in South Antrim. The wards of Monkstown, Abbey, Jordanstown and Rostulla all sit naturally with Greenisland and should be part of an East Antrim constituency that connects the East coast with the large urban population of Newtownabbey.

Finally, the Glenavy ward shares local ties with Crumlin and should be included to retain that local link. This also brings the proposed South Antrim within the quota range.

This proposal significantly tidies Newtownabbey, which in the Provisional Proposals is split across 4 constituencies and completely breaks any local identity. The Alliance proposals are broadly similar to the current Antrim and Newtownabbey council boundary.

South Antrim ward proposals (Electorate of 72,517) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,583 Antrim Centre 2,318 Glengormley 2,090 Fountain Hill 2,087 Hightown 1,934 Greystone 2,280 Carnmoney Hill 2,924 Springfarm 2,154 O’Neill 2,135 Steeple 2,144 Rathcoole 2,356 Stiles 2,206 Valley 2,524 Aldergrove 2,118 Whitehouse 2,489 Clady 2,365 Parkgate 2,457 Crumlin 2,456 Shilvodan 3,217 Mallusk 2,377 Randalstown 2,420 Templepatrick 2,300 Cranfield 2,107 Ballyhenry 2,541 Toome 2,454 Burnthill 2,110 Fairview 2,109 Carnmoney 2,332 Ballyduff 2,222 Collinbridge 2,394 Glenavy 2,314 Glebe

Antrim Coast:

The North East Antrim coast presents a perfect opportunity to bring together a coastline under one constituency. This stretches from the Causeway to the edge of urban Newtownabbey using the natural coastline as a boundary line on one side. It largely protects the current East Antrim boundary on the West and South, adding further parts of the causeway coast to group together a distinct coastal area.

Antrim Coast ward proposals (Electorate of 76,616) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward

2,439 Jordanstown 2,353 Islandmagee 2,452 Rostulla 2,946 Kilwaughter 2,242 Monkstown 2,546 Whitehead South 2,281 Abbey 2,623 Cairncastle 2,220 Burleigh Hill 2,244 Carnlough & Glenarm 2,338 Gortalee 2,552 Craigyhill 2,363 Greenisland 2,491 Gardenmore 2,642 Sunnylands 2,524 The Maidens 2,634 Woodburn 2,463 Atlantic 2,389 Boneybefore 2,405 Dervock 2,625 Castle 2,448 Dundooan 2,889 Kilroot 2,448 Giant’s Causeway 2,453 Love Lane 2,491 Hopefield 2,657 Victoria 2,197 Portrush & Dunluce 2,617 Ballycarry & Glynn 2,175 Portstewart 2,469 Curran & Inver

North West Antrim:

This seeks to tidy The Commission’s West Antrim and Dalriada proposals by creating a constituency that connects Ballymena, Ballmoney and Coleraine in a North West Antrim constituency. The shape of the constituency follows the main roads that connect all three of towns.

To ensure the constituency remains within range, the ward of Castlerock would have to move in to the proposed Glenshane.

North East Antrim ward proposals (Electorate of 77,758) Electorate Ward Electorate Ward 2,110 Academy 2,417 Kells 2,344 Ardeevin 2,242 Kirkinriola 2,159 Ballykeel 2,282 Slemish 2,099 Braidwater 2,153 Ballymoney East 2,030 Castle Demesne 2,483 Ballymoney North 2,023 Fair Green 2,190 Ballymoney South 2,137 Park 2,638 CloghMills 2,576 Ahoghill 2,494 Dunloy 2,043 Cullybackey 2,600 Rasharkin 2,370 Galgorm 2,322 Route 2,631 Grange 2,590 Churchland 2,275 Maine 2,415 Mountsandel 2,318 Portglenone 2,514 Quarry 2,299 Ballee & Harryville 2,127 University 2,650 Broughshane 2,801 Waterside 2,446 Glenravel 2,700 Windy Hill 2,280 Glenwhirry

https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/boundary-commission- ni/4815919c/consultation/download_file?squid=question.2016-08-17.4859370250- filesubquestion&user=BHLF-FFDS-VS1P-D