Liberal Democrats Ready to Target New Broadland Constituency

1.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 9th Sep 2004

Liberal Democrats in Norfolk look set to target a new constituency following the implementation of the new revised boundary proposals issued by the Boundary Commission for England (BCE), today. The proposals, which could be implemented at the general election after next, will incorporate the strongly Liberal Democrat western side of the North Norfolk constituency around the Fakenham area with Broadland towns including Aylsham and Foulsham where the Liberal Democrats performed strongly in the 2004 local elections.

"I am enormously disappointed to lose part of the western side of my constituency. I put the case to the Inquiry for retaining the Fakenham area in North Norfolk. However, this is not what they have decided," said North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb.

"What they have come up with is a proposal which presents a unique opportunity for my Party," Mr Lamb added. "The make-up of the new proposed seat looks a very attractive prospect for a second Liberal Democrat MP in Norfolk. It will almost certainly become a Lib Dem target for the election after next."

Liberal Democrat election agent and Fakenham District Councillor Simon Wright said "Labour have no district councillors in the new constituency. They will be in a weak position to contest the Broadland seat. It is clear that the first election in the new constituency will be a straight fight between the Liberal Democrats and the Tories."

In 2001, Norfolk elected its first Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb. At the next election, they are widely predicted to pose as serious challengers in both Charles Clarke's Norwich South and the Tory held South Norfolk constituency.

Notes:

NEW BROADLAND COUNTY CONSTITUENCY comprises twenty wards of the District of Broadland:- Acle, Aylsham, Blofield with South Walsham, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Coltishall, Drayton North, Drayton South, Eynesford, Great Witchingham, Hevingham, Horsford and Felthorpe, Marshes, Plumstead, Reepham, Spixworth with St Faiths, Taverham North, Taverham South, Wroxham; six wards of the District of North Norfolk:- Astley, Lancaster North, Lancaster South, The Raynhams, Walsingham, Wensum.

Those wards being transferred from North Norfolk are represented by 7 Lib Dem, 0 Conservative, and 0 Labour District Councillors. The Broadland wards listed above are represented by 8 Lib Dem, 16 Conservative, 0 Labour. The new constituency therefore has Lib Dem and Conservatives neck and neck on district representation (15 Lib Dem, 16 Con, 0 Labour).

NORTH NORFOLK COUNTY CONSTITUENCY As existing, minus the 6 wards given above.

In the May 2003 local elections, 7 out of the 8 district council seats in the Fakenham area (which will make up the western side of the new Broadland constituency) returned Liberal Democrats.

On June 10 this year, Liberal Democrats came within just 9 votes of winning all 3 seats in Aylsham.