Renfrewshire: Potential Boundary Changes

The region is currently covered by two Westminster seats – Paisley and Renfrewshire North, represented by Gavin Newlands, and Paisley and Renfrewshire South, where Mhairi Black is the MP.

But the Boundary Commission for Scotland (BCS) is seeking views on proposals to split the area into three new seats, with some voters being cut off and placed in an Inverclyde constituency.

It forms part of a wider plan to reduce the number of MPs in Scotland from 59 to 57, which means the average electorate size in each constituency will rise as they become geographically larger.

The three new constituencies would be called Renfrew North, Renfrew South, and Inverclyde and Bridge of Weir.

People living in Houston, Crosslee and Bridge of Weir would witness one of the biggest changes, as they join the Inverclyde constituency. Meanwhile, those in nearby Brookfield and Linwood would be in Renfrew South, voting for a different MP.

Currently, all those areas are part of the Paisley and Renfrewshire North seat.

Renfrew North would consist of Renfrew, Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and parts of Paisley but would also include Hillington and Cardonald. Renfrew South would cover the remaining parts of Paisley, as well as Johnstone, Kilbarchan, Elderslie, Howwood and Lochwinnoch.

For more on the proposed new boundaries, visit www.bcs2023review. com or if you would like to share your opinion, please email the Boundary Commission for Scotland at bcs.scottishboundaries.gov.uk

The initial consultation period closes on 8th December 2021.