Election boundary changes

The Brede Valley, which includes Westfield, Brede and Udimore, is to move from the Conservative Bexhill and Battle Ward to Hastings and Rye, a Labour constituency.

Rye Foreign will remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, Heathfield and Old Heathfield will move from Wealden to be incorporated into Bexhill and Battle.

The Electoral Commission reviews the boundaries every 10 years and found there were too many people in the Conservative Wealden ward and a shortfall in Hastings and Rye.

The move will mean a slight increase of voters in the Bexhill and Battle ward, but will bring the three into line with each other.

Charles Hendry is the current MP for Wealden and Michael Foster is the current MP for Hastings and Rye.

Bexhill and Battle MP Greg Barker said: "I think it's important that the boundaries are reviewed to ensure everybody's vote counts.

"I will be very sorry to lose the Brede Valley, but I know if Amber Rudd (Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for Hastings) was elected in May, she will be a terrific MP, not just for Hastings, but the rural villages in the Brede Valley.

"And I am looking forward to carrying on the excellent work Charles Hendry has done for the people of Heathfield for the last 10 years."

Mr Barker added: "Adjusting the boundaries to ensure fair representation is important, but ultimately we need real reform to reduce the number of MPs and ensure the remaining disparity between large constituencies, particularly in the north and Scotland, are ironed out."