It may be possible to retain much of the existing Saffron Walden parliamentary constituency intact. The Electoral Commission’s proposals were posted here. I took along to last night’s meeting of Uttlesford’s electoral working group a scheme which could bring Dunmow and Takeley back into what the commission wants to call North West Essex. This would require some shuffling of rural wards around Braintree and Chelmsford to keep Braintree & Witham, Maldon and the new Billericay constituency populated. Some south-west Uttlesford wards and Felsted would have to be shifted to neighbouring constituencies.

It would not require the whole of the Essex plan to be unstitched, which is what I had feared. Any attempt to put back together the whole of the existing Saffron Walden constituency would almost certainly ripple across the whole county and would not be supported. I think the long-existing name of Saffron Walden should be retained. 

The scheme I presented last night, or something like it, was supported at last night’s meeting. The council will be asked tonight to pursue this track through negotiation with our neighbours in Essex.