Reading to get two MP seats according to new map

The Boundary Commission for England has been redrawing the political map in order to help level out the number of voters per area.

The town currently has two constituencies, Reading West, held by Conservative MP Sir Alok Sharma and Reading East, held by Labour MP Matt Rodda.

Initially the commission proposed making Reading a single constituency made up of the town centre, Coley, Southcote, East Reading and parts of West Reading.

Areas further west were moved into a newly proposed ‘Berkshire Mid’ constituency, which included the Reading Borough Council wards of Tilehurst, Kentwood and Norcot.

But in the finalised proposals, the ‘Berkshire Mid’ constituency has been renamed ‘Reading West and Mid Berkshire’ with the town’s ‘main’ constituency being called ‘Reading Central’.

The proposed Reading West and Mid Berkshire constituency from the 2023 Constituency Boundary Review. Credit: Boundary Commission for England

Casey Byrne, a Conservative party member and candidate for Tilehurst ward in the last two council elections was among those who called for the proposed constituencies to be renamed.

READ MORE: Reading Borough Council elections 2023 results in full

He said: “As a resident of a constituency due to have Reading taken out of its title, I didn’t feel represented.

“The draft proposal had one part of the town named “Reading” as a constituency, and other parts absorbed into new ones.

“It gave a false impression that Reading was safe Labour territory and shared a singular view, when in reality, Reading is a hugely diverse town with a range of views and cultures.

Casey Byrne, Conservative candidate for the Tilehurst ward in 2022 and 2023. Credit: Reading West Conservatives

“The original proposal took a significant part of the town and gave it no association to its new constituency.

“As Reading constituted around a third of the new constituency, the name inadequately described the area.

“I submitted comments to the Boundary Commission public consultation, proposing Reading be renamed more accurately as ‘Reading Central’ and ‘Reading West & Mid Berkshire’.

“Everyone in Reading deserves to be represented in parliament, not just those in one part of the town.

“Nor should it be associated with any single party or view, so I’m pleased the Boundary Commission has adopted those names and Reading will have the proper constituencies that it deserves.”

Elsewhere, the Whitley and Church wards of Reading Borough will be incorporated into the new Earley and Woodley constituency.

The boundary review process has been ongoing since 2020, when the boundary commission was appointed to make changes to the political maps of the four nations of the UK.

Old boundary proposals from 2021, showing the Reading and Berkshire Mid proposed constituencies. Credit: Boundary Commission for England

The old proposals for ‘Reading’ and ‘Berkshire Mid’ were revealed in 2021, with the final recommendations were published on June 27.

What next? 

Now the final recommendations have been made, they must be submitted alongside other constituency boundary reviews being undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Once all of these are done, they must be approved at a meeting of the Privy Council chaired by King Charles III.

The changes would then be implemented at that meeting ahead of the next general election.