Dear Resident,
On the 2nd June, the Boundary Commission published its proposed alterations for UK Parliamentary Constituencies, to be implemented from 2023.
The constituency of Totnes undergoes minor changes that are not contentious and bring the population size more in line with other constituencies across the country.
However, while the changes are minor, I do believe it is time to change the name of the Totnes Constituency to ‘South Devon’.
The historical name of the Totnes Constituency derives from a time when Totnes town was the major and central conurbation within the constituency. Successive changes to the constituency have seen towns such as Brixham and Paignton included within the boundaries. Totnes is no longer the largest town nor the centre of the constituency.
Over the years, the changes to the boundaries have left constituents of Totnes confused as to why they are part of a constituency that only reflects the name of one town. Residents of Brixham, Paignton, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Salcombe feel that the constituency name of Totnes neither reflects their respective areas nor the composition of the parliamentary seat.
A constituency should be identifiable to all of its constituents. Since I was elected in 2019, it has been a common request to see the name changed from Totnes to South Devon. We now have that opportunity, and I am asking you to undertake the simple, and quick step, of submitting a very short comment to the Boundary Commission calling for the constituency name to be changed from Totnes to South Devon.
If you agree with my proposition, I would be grateful if you might submit a brief comment to the Boundary Commission by clicking the following link.
You might like to consider the following wording for your submission:
In light of the Boundary Commission’s recent proposed changes to the Constituency of Totnes I would like to propose and urge that its name is altered to South Devon.
In changing the name from Totnes to South Devon you will be creating a constituency that is more reflective of the wide area that it covers as well as the residents of Brixham, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Paignton and Dartmouth.
I hope you will consider this request as it has long been my view and that of many other residents of South Devon that we should have a constituency name that reflects the many different areas and parts of this parliamentary seat.
I do hope you will take this opportunity to help right this wrong and do let me know when you have submitted your point.
Best wishes,
Anthony