In his regular column for the Hereford Times, Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, pleads for a review of parliamentary boundary changes in Herefordshire, and urges people to take up the opportunity to be vaccinated against Covid-19

BOUNDARY changes have recently been announced for Herefordshire by the Boundary Commission.

Equalising everyone’s vote across the country is essential, but they also propose to move Holmer ward into Hereford and South Herefordshire, while North Herefordshire would be given Stoney Street ward.

Jesse Norman MP and I have written to the Boundary Commission to suggest that they consider the historic voting record of electors as well as the river. These wards should be allocated the other way around.

Stoney Street sits south of the river and has traditionally been in Hereford and South Herefordshire, just as Holmer ward, which is further north, has been part of my constituency since I became MP 20 years ago.

We hope the Boundary Commission will review this small matter with our comments in mind.

Reluctantly, the Prime Minister announced the extension of coronavirus restrictions until as late as July 19.

This is frustrating and disappointing as we all look forward to an end in restrictions.

I urge everyone who has not yet been vaccinated to use this opportunity to get vaccinated.

I know that medical reasons may prevent some people from doing this, which is why it is even more important that those of us who are able to do so, get jabbed as soon as possible.

The more people who are fully vaccinated with two doses, the less opportunity there is for variants such as the Delta variant to travel or mutate.

The Government will continue to scrutinise the data as we need to understand how many who catch the virus now, mainly the young, fall seriously ill with it.

If it is deemed safe the Prime Minister has reserved the right to reopen before July 19.

It is also worth remembering we are in a much better position than we were even a few months ago thanks to forbearance of the public and the arrival of the warmer weather, which should further improve the outlook.

I am delighted that weddings with more than 30 people attending will be able to take place from June 21, which will come as welcome news to many in Herefordshire, especially couples who have waited so patiently to celebrate.

We must view these weeks ahead as our opportunity to get ahead of the virus and protect as many people as possible so that we can safely enjoy the return of our freedoms when the time comes.