HALF the residents of East Hampshire could find themselves voting in a different constituency at the next General Election.

The Boundary Commission for England has unveiled plans to shake-up the parliamentary constituencies in Hampshire and residents have a month to respond.

If all goes to plan Hampshire will comprise 18 rather than 17 constituencies, in a move to ensure that MPs represent an equal number of people.

A report by the Boundary Commission states: ÒThe allocation of an additional seat and the realignment of constituency boundaries where wards are divided will mean that there will have to be major changes to some of the existing seats.Ó

The proposed changes would see Alton, Petersfield and Bordon brought together within a revamped East Hampshire constituency which, for the purpose of the exercise, would lose Clanfield, Horndean, Denmead and Rowlands Castle to the Meon Valley.

For Bordon and its surrounding villages the change would result in a new MP since it is currently part of North East Hampshire, represented by James Arbuthnot (Con).

East Hampshire, of which Alton and Petersfield are already part, is currently held by Michael Mates (Con) who was re-elected in June last year for an eighth consecutive term in office.

The proposed East Hampshire seat would have an electorate of 67,452 and comprise 31 of the 38 new districts council wards which will come into effect next year. As well as Bordon, Whitehill, Headley and Liphook it would include Bentley, Froyle, Binsted, the Worldhams, Kingsley and Selborne - all currently part of North East Hampshire.

The remaining seven district council wards would be part of a brand new Meon Valley constituency - the Ò18thÓ addition, which would have an electorate of 65,952.

The Commission considered that the Meon Valley, which bisects the seat, would be an appropriate name to describe this mainly rural constituency as there would be no individual town to act as the main focal point and whose name could be used to define it.

The Meon Valley would embrace Bishops Sutton, while Alresford would remain part of the City of Winchester constituency.

North East Hampshire constituency would have an electorate of 67,417 and would include four wards of the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane, among them Upton Grey and the Candovers, and 16 wards of the District of Hart, including Long Sutton and Odiham.

It is thought the changes may close the gap in the fight for the East Hampshire seat between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

In previous years Michael Mates has achieved a comfortable majority in East Hampshire but with Bordon joining Alton - all Lib Dem strongholds at local government level, the race could hot up.

East Hampshire Liberal Democrats chairman Bob Booker has stood against Michael Mates for the last three General Elections and has consistently shortened the odds. He believes that with work and effort the revamped constituency could be Òmore winnableÓ for his party.

Michael Mates is reported as confident that both East Hampshire and the new Meon Valley seat would remain Òsafe Tory territoryÓ.

Since being elected as member for Petersfield in 1974 he has seen four boundary changes and, even when times were difficult, has won in East Hampshire.

Residents and local councils now have one month to comment on the suggested revamp and have been asked, when doing so, to put forward alternatives if disagreeing with what is proposed.

If there are no significant objections the proposed new parliamentary constituencies could be adopted later in the year - although they would not come into affect until the next General Election.

If a local authority or group of 100 or more electors do object however it will result in a Local Inquiry which will delay the process.

Copies of the proposals can be viewed at the East Hampshire District Council Presence Office in Cross and Pillory Lane, Alton, or at Alresford Library.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals should write to the Boundary Commission for England by March 14 at PO Box 31060, London, SW1V 2FF or by email to [email protected]">[email protected].