Is this the end for Batley and Spen? New constituencies proposed for North Kirklees

The boundaries of Kirklees’s parliamentary constituencies are set to be re-drawn if the latest proposals by the Boundary Commission, revealed this week, are given the green light.

One significant plan impacting the borough would see the dissolution of the Batley and Spen constituency and the formation of two new seats – ‘Dewsbury and Batley’ and ‘Spen Valley.’

A four-week period of public consultation has now begun for people to have their say on the suggestions for the creation of new seats and redistribution of wards revealed for Kirklees as part of the next step of a

national review currently being carried out by the Boundary Commission, which will determine voting boundaries across the UK.

However, the plan to change the current Batley and Spen constituency has met with a cold response from its sitting MP Kim Leadbeater.

Reacting to the proposals suggested in a report by the Boundary Commission, the Labour MP said: “I love Batley and Spen. I am inspired every day by its community spirit, by the enthusiasm and commitment of its volunteers, workers, businesses, organisations and families, and above all by the incredible warmth of its people.

“Batley and Spen has remained strong and united through some difficult and testing times. So I am very saddened and disappointed by the prospect of Batley and Spen being split in the way the Boundary Commission is proposing.

“The constituency has a special place not just in the hearts of those of us who live and work here but, I believe, many others around the country who admire what they have seen of our resilience and strength.

" So I will be looking to see if the Commission can be persuaded to change its mind, while of course recognising its independence and impartiality,” she said.

Initially, proposals were put forward for a new ‘Batley and Hipperholme’ constituency – which would take in Hipperholme and Lightcliffe, a council ward in the neighbouring Calder Valley constituency in Calderdale.

But these were strongly opposed and described as the “most contentious” amongst plans for the entire Yorkshire and Humber region. Amendments have since been made leading to the recommendation of new ‘Dewsbury and Batley’ and ‘Spen Valley’ constituencies.

If approved, the Dewsbury and Batley constituency would contain the wards of Batley East and West, Dewsbury East, South and West, and the northern part of Kirkburton. The remainder of the Kirkburton ward would reside within the proposed constituency of ‘Wakefield West and Denby Dale.’

The Spen Valley constituency would include the wards of Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Gomersal, Mirfield, and part of Dalton. The remainder of the Dalton ward would sit within the Huddersfield constituency should the revised proposals go ahead. This is despite the initial plans to divide the Dalton ward proving unpopular in the previous phase of public consultation.

Ms Leadbeater added: “On a personal level, it would be very upsetting for me to see Batley and Spen disappear from the map as an entity.

"Like so many others, my family and I have invested a great deal of time and energy in working for the community as a whole and in bringing people together when others would seek to divide us.

"It is and always has been a team effort. And for me it’s people that matter most, not lines on an electoral map. So whatever the final outcome I will continue to do everything I can to help each and every one of my constituents to the best of my ability and to contribute to the future of the area I love.”

Elsewhere in Kirklees initial plans for Colne Valley and Huddersfield constituencies remain unchanged with the transfer of the Crosland Moor and Netherton ward to the Huddersfield constituency from Colne Valley still being suggested as the leading option.

Public consultation concludes on December 5 of this year and a final report and recommendations from the Boundary Commission will follow on July 1, 2023.