West Lothian Council has objected to proposed Holyrood election boundary changes which would see Whitburn and Fauldhouse put into a constituency in with Airdrie – 14 miles west- in North Lanarkshire.
The same proposed changes would see West Lothian removed from the Lothians’ regional list and put into a Central Scotland list for a choice of MSPs in the 2026 election.
Boundaries Scotland is undertaking the Second Review of Scottish Parliament boundaries and is consulting on revised constituency proposals. and proposals for regions.
A motion from Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said the proposals contravened two of the four rules laid down governing boundary changes.
He told a meeting of the Executive: “This proposal disregards the boundaries of West Lothian and very strong existing ties with these communities. By splitting two West Lothian Council wards between Airdrie and the other constituencies the proposals conflict with the fact that regard must be had to the boundaries and rule 4 they disregard local identities, links and ties with local communities.
“I think we all agree Fauldhouse and Whitburn have strong links to the rest of West Lothian. In terms of work education People from these communities are more likely to commute to and work in Livingston, Bathgate and Edinburgh.”
Children from Longridge and Stoneyburn go to Whitburn Academy or St Kentigern’s in Blackburn.
Councillor Fitzpatrick said that West Lothian had very strong links to other regions within the Lothians, much more than to communities to the west in North Lanarkshire Council area.
The motion was passed without objection.
If changes are made, to the Provisional Proposals for regions or the Further 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 boundaries will be effective at the next Scottish Parliament election, scheduled for May 2026.
By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
