Policy Research Media Morhamburn

The Boundary Commission yesterday released their report on the new Scottish constituencies for the Scottish Election in May 2011.  The Scotland Act requires the Boundary Commission for Scotland to periodically review the Boundaries for the Scottish Parliament.  Periodic reviews are in place to ensure that constituencies reflect demographic change.

There are several changes that will likely receive much media attention.  The current Inverness East, Nairn and Badenoch and Lochaber seat held by the SNP’s Fergus Ewing is to be split with Lochaber and Badenoch joining the Skye seat and Inverness East and Nairn making up a separate Inverness and Nairn seat.

The current Tayside North, Dundee East and Angus all held by the SNP are to be split between four seats:  Angus North and Mearns, Angus South, Dundee East and Perthshire North.  This will mean a change of seat for Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney.

Liberal Democrat Jeremy Purvis’ Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale seat has now been redrawn to take in part of Midlothian with the new seat being called Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.  The rest of Midlothian will become part of Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

The current Glasgow Govan which is held by Nicola Sturgeon will brought into the new constituency of Glasgow Southside, as well as some of Shettleston, Rutherglen and Labour held the Gorbals.

Also, Labour held Eastwood will lose Neilston, Uplawmoor and Barrhead to Renfrewshire.

To view the full report of the Boundary Commission, follow this link.