By Merger of Grimsby and Cleethorpes is a ‘disaster waiting to happen’
A former councillor has criticised plans that would see Grimsby and Cleethorpes merge into a new, combined constituency.
A proposal from the Boundary Commission would see Scartho, Humberston and New Waltham grouped together with Immingham, Barton and Brigg into the South Humber constituency.
However, these plans have received major backlash, with the majority of residents providing negative comments.
Many feel that Grimsby and Cleethorpes have different focuses and priorities and therefore wouldn’t benefit from one MP.
“The boundary commissions proposals to have Grimsby and Cleethorpes in one constituency is madness. I have lived in Cleethorpes all of my life and our area is unique to that of Grimsby. It is linked to the wider Lincolnshire area historically,” one wrote.
The goal of the merger is to balance MP’s seat sizes so that each has roughly 74,000 electors, ensuring votes have equal weight.
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has already given his support for the scheme, but criticised the new constituency name ‘Brigg and Immingham’ as well as Sidney Sussex, Croft Baker and Haverstoe wards being moved into the new combined Grimsby and Cleethorpes seat.
Former Councillor Matthew Brown has now spoken out about the plans, calling it a ‘disaster waiting to happen’.
In his statement he said: “Inhabitants of both Cleethorpes and Grimsby have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the proposal. Residents argue that much like combining fish fingers and custard, Cleethorpes and Grimsby just don’t go together! Let’s be clear for a moment. No one area is better than the other. Nevertheless, each area has a different ideology, social and economic needs and identity which makes them incompatible in a single Parliamentary Constituency.”
He went on to separate the two towns, stating that they each have their own distinct history with Grimsby being more industrialised and focused on fishing while Cleethorpes is more ‘blue and white collar’ and focuses on tourism.
Mr Brown went on to criticise local political figures for not speaking out on the issue of discussing the potential plans with residents who feel deeply about the merger.
He said: “The politicians themselves, apart from the Scartho Councillors who did publicly engaged with their residents, have not been seen or heard from and appear not to have consulted with their residents to gain an informed view of what the public actually want. This raises the obvious question ‘Are the political parties/politicians using this review to meet their needs and ensure they gain the maximum seats possible?’ Such an estrangement from the electorate they claim to represent, as shown in the publication of residents views in the first round of consultation, in favour of self-preservation and self-interest is both concerning and exasperating in equal measure from people who claim to have the area at the heart of everything they do.
“Furthermore, what has become clear is that the councillors are not willing to put their head above the parapet and put what they think. Instead, they are hiding behind ‘collective responsibility and decision making with a view submitted on their behalf by The Council and the political parties. Only Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has had the courage to give his view. Whilst this appears to be at odds with the community he represents at least he has had the courage to speak out publicly and be held accountable. Where is his Grimsby counterpart Lia Nici MP, and where are the local councillors? The silence is deafening for our communities political leaders.”
The final round of consultation began yesterday (8 November) for residents to have their final say on the plans.
Once finalised, the plans will be submitted to parliament in July for consideration.
