Kirkby Lonsdale no longer part of Westmorland and Lonsdale seat

The Boundary Commission has revealed its proposed changes to the boundaries of constituencies across the UK.

The Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron currently represents the seat in parliament. 

Previously, the constituency extended down to Kirkby Lonsdale in the south, and up to Rydal and Ambleside in the north.

The largest shift is Burton, Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh becoming part of the Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency. People from this area will be represented by Conservative MP David Morris if he retains his seat in the next general election.

The new constituency boundaries extend as far north as Milbum Forest, Temple Sowerby, the outskirts of Penrith up to the A66 and Hutton Roof. Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Greystoke will be moved into Westmorland and Lonsdale.

The boundaries will change in the next general election. 

The current Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency (Image: UK Parliament)

The commission creates reports every five years based on population shifts between constituencies. The last report was done in 2018. However, due to legislation not being enacted before elections the last time the boundaries changed was in 2010. 

According to Boundary Commission documents, Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency has an electorate of 72,322. 

How Westmorland and Lonsdale will look after the next general election, which is currently in 2025 (Image: Boundary Commission for England)

Mr Farron welcomed the boundary changes in his seat.

He said: "It’s really good to finally have clarity on the boundary changes for the next election.

“I am obviously devastated to see the removal of some of our communities from Westmorland and Lonsdale. However, I will absolutely continue to fight for them until the new seat takes effect. Even after the election, I will continue to serve them alongside their hard-working team of Liberal Democrat Councillors.

“I am also excited by the prospect of fighting for those communities in North Westmorland." 

The parliament website states: "Constituency boundaries are reviewed periodically to make sure that constituencies are all roughly a similar size and reflect local ties between areas. 

"The reviews alter constituencies to reflect rising and falling populations, as well as changes in the boundaries of the wards that comprise them."

The new boundary review is stricter than previous ones, as constituencies must now be within 5 per cent of the 'electoral quota' of 73,393. Previously, up to 10 per cent variation had been accepted. 

Parliamentary Boundary Commissions are sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, but are outside of direct ministerial control. The government gives the public body funding and resources.