West Lothian communities may face a potential move into North Lanarkshire as part of a boundary plan, as reported by the Daily Record. A local public inquiry is scheduled to be held in Whitburn early next month to allow residents to express their opinions on the proposed changes. The plan, introduced by Boundaries Scotland, aims to incorporate Whitburn and Fauldhouse into a new parliamentary constituency in preparation for the upcoming Holyrood elections. Concerns arose when it was initially suggested that these West Lothian communities could join an Airdrie constituency in North Lanarkshire, located approximately 14 miles away.
Boundaries Scotland is currently conducting a review of constituency boundaries for the 2026 Holyrood elections. The proposal to merge Whitburn and Fauldhouse with North Lanarkshire sparked criticism from councillors who argued that there are no significant connections between these communities and Airdrie. Additionally, the proposed changes would involve removing West Lothian from the Lothians’ regional list and placing it in a Central Scotland list for the selection of MSPs in the upcoming election.
A statement from Boundaries Scotland outlined details of the upcoming local inquiry in Whitburn, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Ross. The inquiry will focus on proposed boundaries for the Scottish Parliament regions of Central Scotland and Lothian, as well as the Airdrie constituency. The community sessions are scheduled to take place on December 3, 2024, with the first session from 2pm to 4pm and the second session from 6pm to 8pm. According to Boundaries Scotland, the inquiry aims to address previous consultations and local responses regarding the proposed boundary changes.
During a meeting of West Lothian Council’s Executive Council last month, concerns were raised by Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick regarding the proposed changes. Fitzpatrick highlighted that the plan goes against the rules set by Boundaries Scotland, particularly in terms of disregarding existing community ties and local identities. He emphasized the strong links that Fauldhouse and Whitburn have with other areas within West Lothian, such as Livingston, Bathgate, and Edinburgh.
Prof Ailsa Henderson, Chair of Boundaries Scotland, underscored the significance of local inquiries in areas where objections or additional information is required. Henderson stated that if any proposals are altered following the inquiries, a further consultation will be conducted in early 2025. The outcome of the local inquiry in Whitburn will play a crucial role in determining the potential boundary changes that could impact these West Lothian communities.
In conclusion, the proposed boundary plan has sparked concerns and raised questions about the potential impact on community ties and representation for Whitburn and Fauldhouse residents. The upcoming local inquiry will provide residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions and contribute to the decision-making process regarding the boundary changes. It remains to be seen how the feedback from the inquiry will influence the final decision on whether these West Lothian communities will be “moved” into North Lanarkshire.