Barnet MPs are cautious to make judgements on proposed adjustments to constituency boundaries as the plans go to public consultation.

Proposals released by the Boundary Commission for England yesterday (September 13) showed Barnet constituency lines would shift, moving different areas of the borough into new Parliamentary seats.

Mike Freer’s seat in Finchley and Golders Green will be modified into a new ‘Finchley and Southgate’ constituency, losing Golders Green but taking in the Southgate area.

Noting the proposals are preliminary, he said the last boundary changes devised between 2000 and 2007 changed by 60 per cent during the planning process.

He said: “Personally I am saddened to see the seat broken up and I will be arguing that the historic ties many of our communities have are maintained.

“It makes little sense to divide communities down the middle of roads, for example one half of Golders Green goes to Hendon and one half to Hampstead, one half of Finchley Church End to Hendon and one half to Southgate.”

Chipping Barnet, the seat held by Theresa Villiers, is marked to become ‘Chipping Barnet and Mill Hill’, losing portions of Southgate but extending into Mill Hill and Cockfosters.

Ms Villiers was similarly tentative of the plans, acknowledging this early stage of proceedings.

She said: “I will be looking at these proposals carefully and discussing them with my constituents and my colleagues.

“The public will have a say before a final version of the new parliamentary boundaries is voted on in Parliament.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation.”

The Hendon constituency, currently held by Matthew Offord, would remain unnamed but include parts of Golders Green and lose Mill Hill to Chipping Barnet.

Mr Offord’s office has been contacted for comment.

Read the original story here.