People in Kimberley say voting for one of Nottingham's MPs at the next election will feel "a bit strange" after final plans for changes to political boundaries were confirmed. The Boundary Commission has been working on plans to alter parliamentary constituencies across the country.
The aim is to try and get a similar number of voters in each constituency, so that each one carries a similar weight. In Nottinghamshire, the Sherwood constituency will be renamed Sherwood Forest, whilst areas in places such as Mansfield, Ashfield and Newark will come under different constituencies.
One of the most significant changes in Nottinghamshire is in Kimberley. The town has been classed as being in the Broxtowe parliamentary constituency.
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But under the Boundary Commission's plans, it will now come under a new constituency of Nottingham North and Kimberley. Despite this, the area will still be served by Broxtowe Borough Council.
Most of the town's voters were totally unaware of the plans, which now have to be confirmed by the Government. Ollie Dixon, 25, who has recently moved to Kimberley, said: "I suppose there is a bit of an association with Nottingham here anyway. But I'd not heard anything about this."
Gina Beniston, 61, who has lived in Kimberley for around five years, said: "It seems a bit strange. Will we be under Nottingham City Council now? It's something I'll have a think about definitely. I didn't know anything about it at all."
But Steven Watson, 58, who now lives in Kimberley and previously lived in Nuthall, said: "We haven't got any choice now anyway, but it does feel a bit like Nottingham around here anyway. I don't bother telling people that I live on the outskirts of Nottingham, I just say Nottingham.
"We'll still be voting for an MP at the end of the day, whether it's for Nottingham North or wherever." Also among the changes to Broxtowe will be the loss of areas including Watnall, Strelley and Nuthall.
The plan received opposition from the current Conservative Broxtowe MP, Darren Henry, who instead suggested dividing Beeston up and placing some of the town in the Nottingham South constituency. The Boundary Commission rejected this plan.
In a statement after the Boundary Commission confirmed its plans this week, Mr Henry said: "I have mixed feelings about the new constituency of Broxtowe. I am firstly disappointed to lose Watnall, Strelley, Nuthall and Kimberley. I am incredibly proud of the work I have done in these areas, including securing £16.5 million in a Levelling Up Bid for Kimberley.
"I am excited to continue to represent my constituents who will remain, as well as welcoming the new ones. I want to learn about the local issues they face and look forward to meeting those in Brinsley and Eastwood, who will be joining the Parliamentary Constituency of Broxtowe."
In terms of its Broxtowe plans, the Boundary Commission previously said: "While we acknowledge that there may be weak community ties within the Nottingham North and Kimberley constituency, we were particularly persuaded by the arguments made to prevent the alternative of a division of Beeston, as it is a single unified community."
