PLANS to redraw the constitutional map have already drawn many strong reactions from the public in the region.

The Boundary Commission for England's proposals for new constituencies in the North-east have tapped into deeply-held views on personal and community identity, history, issues, affinities, connections, links, resources and needs.

It was always bound to raise contentious issues, and many people expressed concern, confusion, dismay and even outrage at the suggested alterations to the constitutional landscape in responses spanning more than 80 pages.

Residents from the Bishop Auckland constituency said:

  • "No thank you! I bought a house in Durham and would prefer it stayed that way!";
  • "Putting a suburb of Durham into a large rural constituency divorces us from the city of which we have always been a part and makes a mockery of local representation";
  • "This seems a ridiculous way of defining a boundary. You're effectively cutting a town in half";
  • "The constituencies should stay the same. This is nothing but a money-wasting exercise";
  • "This seems to be based on politics rather than local allegiance or preference."

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In the City of Durham constituency, respondents said: 

  • "I do not really care which constituency I am in so long as my local authority and constituency match!";
  • "Larger towns know nothing about the way villages work... I find it really frustrating we are being completely disregarded";
  • "I personally think common sense has gone out of the window and the world has gone crazy";
  • "It would be an absolute crying shame if we lost our historical connection to the city";
  • "I felt sick to my stomach";
  • "This new constituency would be entirely artificial and rip apart historic links... I think it's abhorrent";
  • "A constituency should be based on a historic geographic location and not the whim of some mapping software. Please have a rethink";
  • "This is a ludicrous idea... drop it!";
  • "You should be ashamed."

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Comments from Easington included opposition to the proposed constituency of Peterlee and Seaham, with other responses including:

  • "It seems absolutely ridiculous... it's not joined-up thinking at all";
  • "We are not guinea pigs for the Government";
  • "Can't believe this is even a priority during a global pandemic. Time and money should be spent elsewhere";
  • "Absolutely ludicrous... this needs a fresh set of eyes looking at it - it is a poor misjudged piece of work";
  • "Why not just stick with 'Easington'?"

In North West Durham, comments varied from "very wrong" and "plain silly" to "great idea" and "delighted", including:

  • "I cannot understand why anything needs to change";
  • "Really a senseless change... we do not want to be changed to Bishop Auckland!";
  • "Genuinely disgusted at this proposal and the waste of taxpayer money it is."

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From North Durham, voters said:

  • "The new boundary seems sensible";
  • "IF IT ISN'T BROKE (and it isn't) DON'T FIX IT"!! Just please leave us as were are! We are happy now!!";
  • "Why is there a North Durham and a North West Durham?";
  • "Looks fine to me."

In Sedgefield, several remarks were made about Middleton St George, Hurworth and Sedgefield, with people saying: 

  • "The proposed changes are a nonsense... We should be within Darlington";
  • "It is absolutely disgraceful to be considered for moving into Stockton";
  • "An absolute ridiculous decision... move us to Darlington where we have all our services from!";
  • I strongly disagree, we are Wearside not Tyneside... you are destroying our identity... please leave us where we are."

Some people were supportive, with some making suggestions to reconsider some aspects of the plan.

The proposals will be discussed at a Durham County Council meeting on Wednesday (March 23).

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