Keep Ynys Môn as an electoral unit, says AM at Boundaries public hearing

Ynys Môn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth will this morning be giving evidence to the Boundary Commission’s public hearing regarding its Review of Parliamentary Constituencies, held in Bangor.

Speaking in defence of keeping Ynys Môn as an electoral unit, he is expected to say:

“I am disappointed that this review brings to an end the representation of the Ynys Môn seat which has elected a Member of Parliament since 1545, and I also object to not giving Ynys Môn the same status as is given to the other large island around the coast of England and Scotland.

“Ynys Môn has existed as an unit since the thirteenth century, it is one of Wales’ original counties, a clear continuous democratic unit for several generations.

“As an island, its boundaries are very clearly defined. Taking it off the electoral map as an island constituency would be a blow to the democracy of Ynys Môn and to the people of Ynys Môn. There’s real value in keeping the clear link between the people of the island and those representing them.

“And the value of island boundaries has been recognized by the Government. The Isle of Wight in England and Orkney and Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar in Scotland have not been included in the restructuring, and they are allowed to have constituencies that are not within the 5% of the UK quota. They have been considered as ‘protected constituencies’.

“The Government clearly sees therefore, like I do, that an island IS different. I call therefore for Ynys Môn to be treated as a special case – as a ‘protected constituency’ – in the same way as they have done with the Isle of Wight and the Scottish Isles.

“In addition, I believe it would be unfair to a part of the mainland to be treated as an ‘add-on’ to Ynys Môn – where the bulk of any new constituency’s population would live – just to make up the numbers. There is no fair distribution on both sides of the bridge.”