West Lothian Council opposes Holyrood boundary changes that ‘ignore local identities’

A Scottish council has objected to Holyrood boundary changes which they say would “take local identities into account”.

West Lothian Council has objected to the changes which would see Whitburn and Fauldhouse removed from the county and Airdrie, 14 miles to the west, in North Lanarkshire.

The same proposed changes would see West Lothian removed from the Lothian regional list and a Central Scotland list for an MSP selection in the 2026 election.

Boundaries Scotland is carrying out the second review of Scottish Parliament boundaries and is consulting on proposed constituencies and revised proposals for regions.

A motion by council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said the proposals breached two of the four rules governing boundary changes.

He told a meeting of the Executive: “This proposal fails to take into account the boundaries of West Lothian and the very strong existing links with these communities.

“By splitting two West Lothian Council wards between Airdrie and the other constituencies, the proposals conflict with the fact that boundaries must be taken into account and rule four fail to take into account local identities, links and links with local communities.

“I think we can all agree that Fauldhouse and Whitburn have strong links with the rest of West Lothian. In terms of work education, people from these communities are more likely to travel and work in Livingston, Bathgate and Edinburgh “.

Children from Longridge and Stoneyburn go to Whitburn Academy or St Kentigern’s in Blackburn.

Eliminating the two communities would also clash with existing boundaries within the police and fire divisions, as well as different areas of the Board of Health.

“A third rule of three allows us to depart from strict applications of others.”

Councilor Fitzpatrick said West Lothian had very strong links with other regions within the Lothians, much more so than with the western communities in the North Lanarkshire Council area.

The motion passed without objection.

If modifications are made, to the provisional proposals for regions or to the subsequent proposals for constituencies, another one-month consultation will be held.

Boundaries Scotland will submit a report to Scottish Ministers by 1 May 2025.

If subsequently approved, the new limits will take effect at the next Scottish Parliament election, scheduled for May 2026.

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