Okay, bit of a hiatus there, but now back at it… Ward data here… Demographics here… And this is the more general picture with old and new boundaries… These three have been chosen because they’re contiguous… they will have some political implications, but the kind of detail we’re looking for is the kind of ticks or mistakes that stand some chance of changing…
One party losing too many seats is not a relevant concern here…
Belfast South East
The transfer of 7 wards from Belfast South to the proposed new constituency of Belfast SouthWestreduces the electorate of Belfast South to 39,019. The addition of the electorate of Belfast East at the review date (60,050) would give a combined electorate of 99,069 which is 22,428 above the
quota. On this basis, the Commission proposes a new constituency of Belfast South East, combining Belfast South (remainder) and Belfast East but transferring a number of wards to the adjacent Strangford constituency in order to come within 5% of the quota. The wards proposed for transfer from Belfast South to Strangford are Cairnshill, Knockbracken, Carryduff East, Carryduff West, Minnowburn and Beechill. From Belfast East, the wards proposed for transfer are Upper Braniel, Ballyhanwood, Enler, Graham’s Bridge, Dundonald, and Carrowreagh. The proposed new Belfast South East constituency would have an electorate of 72,903, which is 4.9% below the quota.
North Down
At the review date the electorate of the North Down constituency was 61,615. The proposed
transfer of the 5 Ards Peninsula wards of Carrowdore, Ballywalter, Portavogie, Kircubbin and
Portaferry from Strangford constituency brings the electorate to 74,288, which is 3.1% below the
quota.
Strangford
At the review date the electorate of the Strangford constituency was 61,566. The proposed transfer of 6 wards from Belfast South and 6 wards from Belfast East would give an electorate of 87,732, which is over 11,000 above the quota. To compensate, the Commission proposes that the wards of Carrowdore, Ballywalter, Portavogie, Kircubbin and Portaferry should transfer to North Down. The proposed Strangford constituency would have an electorate of 75,059, which is 2.1% below the quota.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty