Perth boundary split is branded ‘Balkanization’

Aug 26 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

SPLITTING Perth for Scottish Parliament elections would be tantamount to Balkanization, claim some politicians.

But others insists that the lack of members of the public attending a public hearing must mean people are happy with the boundary changes.

Perthshire MP Pete Wishart accused the Boundary Commission of alienating voters by putting forward proposals to redraw constituencies by drawing a line down either side of the Fair City’s central Dunkeld Road.

A public hearing on the proposal was held in Perth’s AK Bell Library after public consultation.

If agreed, Perth and Kinross Council’s existing city centre ward would be in a different constituency from Perth’s two other wards.

Mr Wishart accused the Boundary Commission of trying to force through the “Balkanization” of Perth.

“These proposals are flawed, wrong and divide communities. The most important single issue is that Perth is represented by one single MSP, a people’s champion,” he said.

“Division will create real problems for people used to having one representative,” he blasted.

Perthshire MSPs Roseanna Cunningham and John Swinney called for Strathearn to be taken out of the proposed South Perthshire and Kinross ward and included in the new North Perthshire.

As a trade-off, Perth city centre would join the new South Perthshire and Kinross set-up.

Ms Cunningham claimed “alienated” residents had been pushed from pillar to post down the years.

“This is a case of drawing lines on maps to which people cannot relate,” she insisted.

“It is analogous to what the Victorians did in Africa in the 19th century.”

Council leader Ian Miller said Perth should be allowed to remain a single Parliamentary entity to boost its city status bid.

“People in Dunkeld Road will be in a different constituency from their neighbours opposite. This is a recipe for confusion.”

By contrast, Tory MSP Murdo Fraser claimed the commission had come up with “the best compromise solution possible”.

“Had there been substantial public concern about the proposal to split Perth city, I am sure we would have seen a great deal more representation from ordinary members of the public,” said Mr Fraser.

He said Strathearn enjoyed closer social ties with Perth and Strathallan than the Highlands, and questioned the veracity of Mr Miller’s city status comments.

PKC’s Tory group leader Alexander Stewart said the prospect of another Perth MSP had few negatives.

“Two heads can be better than one when fighting for larger urban communities.”

Crieff Community Council chairman Bob Ferguson also opposed the Strathearn ‘annexing’ notion.

“Having spoken to some members, they are appalled at the idea,” he said.

A commission statement said an official PKC objection had triggered the inquiry.

“Data from last year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections was used to help redesign the constituencies,” it said.

“However, the naming of constituencies can be a very contentious issue for the electorate.”

It added it was keen to retain two self-contained constituencies within Perth and Kinross.

Creating an all-encompassing rural constituency, excluding Perth, was seen as problematic due to low population and poor public transport links.

“It was agreed that dividing Perth provides a more balanced configuration.”

Sheriff Principal Dunlop is expected to publish his findings later this year.