An amendment to the Parliamentary Constituencies Bill giving Ynys Môn protected status as a constituency has today been unanimously accepted by MPs. Under the amended Bill, Ynys Mon will enjoy the same status already afforded to Orkney and Shetland, the Western Isles and the Isle of Wight.
In proposing the amendment Conservative MP for Basingstoke, the Rt Hon Maria Miller, noted that that “the people of Ynys Môn retain a strong sense of independence borne of centuries of separation from the mainland” and referred to Ynys Môn’s historic position at Môn Mam Cymru. She added that “Ynys Môn possesses the same exceptional qualities of geography seen in the existing protected island constituencies” and that the amendment recognised “Ynys Môn’s distinctive geography, history and culture”.
Putting the amendment before the committee, Bill Minister, the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, added that MP for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie, has “campaigned and worked very hard on this matter” and had done so since becoming an MP on behalf of her constituents.
Following the vote, the Chair of the Bill Committee, the Rt Hon Ian Paisley, announced this a “historic day”.
After the amendment was accepted, Ms Crosbie said “I am delighted that this amendment has been accepted and that Ynys Môn is one step closer to becoming a protected constituency. I know just how important this is to the people of Ynys Môn and I have actively supported the amendment on their behalf.”
