FEEDBACK from the public and politicians on proposals to radically shake-up MP constituencies in Waltham Forest and Redbridge has been published.

The Boundary Commission launched a consultation on its ideas for new seats last year following Parliament's approval of government plans to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600.

The results have been published online and residents are now being given a last chance to have their say before a second consultation concludes at midday on Tuesday April 3.

And initial feedback appears to show most respondents were against proposals for a new Edmonton and Chingford seat, amid concerns the two communities are too different and have no links with each other.

Chingford MP and cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith told the Guardian he was pleased with the results of the consultation.

He said: "I am very encouraged by the overwhelming amount of submissions that the commission has received both from my own constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green and from Edmonton, against what has been proposed.

“Both communities think that it is daft, let us hope that the commission sees sense.

“I would encourage people to take a look at the boundary commissions website and make comments where appropriate".

Most respondents were also against a plan to tweak the Walthamstow seat.

However this is mainly due to the idea of making Higham Hill ward part of the proposed Edmonton and Chingford constituency, and to include Highams Park instead in Walthamstow, again due to concerns over lack of a shared identity and demographics.

However opinion is less clear-cut on plans to abolish the Leyton and Wanstead seat.

Those proposals include merging parts of Leytonstone merging to form a new Stratford constituency and the creation of a new Wanstead and Woodford boundary.

Many respondents, who stated they live in Wanstead and Woodford, generally agreed with the plan but not those who lived in Leytonstone.

The initial consultation results reveal views on the proposals have crossed the political divide.

Waltham Forest Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins, in his submission, said the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaderships at the authority were all united against all three shake-ups.

However, in contrast, Leyton and Wanstead Conservative Association said it was in favour of all three, except for the planned switch-over of Higham Hill and Highams Park wards.

Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer has previously criticised the plan to carve up his ward.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has not spoken publicly on the issue.

Visit www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk to have your say and read the responses.

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