The Boundary Commission for England (www.bcereviews.org.uk is proposing changes to redraw parliamentary constituencies across the country. There are major changes for Camberwell voters with the Commission recommending approx. a third of Camberwell joins Vauxhall to become ?Vauxhall and Camberwell?, and nearly two-thirds of Camberwell being absorbed into Peckham. We already have a situation with no single MP exclusively focused on Camberwell, with areas represented around the SE5 borders by three other MPs and the majority of residents sitting in ?Camberwell and Peckham?. If this proposal goes ahead, when the next General Election comes, our interests as a community will now be severely divided. The risk is that investment, for jobs, for transport and other benefits will be increasingly diverted to town centres of Vauxhall, Brixton, and Peckham, and we will be overlooked. Our response The SE5 Forum for Camberwell, The Camberwell Society, Camberwell Arts and the Camberwell Identity Group believe that this breakup of the Camberwell community is unacceptable. For example, this proposal will see the Camberwell School of Arts, King?s College Hospital, Camberwell Grove, Camberwell Grove, Camberwell New Rd, Denmark Hill Station and Burgess Park become part of Peckham. This is yet another example of how Camberwell?s identity is being eroded in subtle but additive ways. We already lie on the boundary between councils and, as a result, often lose out on funding opportunities. We understand this process is important to even up the numbers of each constituency. But we know how important the recognition of home as a place is. That ?sense of place? influences us in many ways as an individual, and as a member of a community. Camberwell is home to over 40,000 people with thousands more employed, studying and visiting. It is a real neighbourhood. We have a strong cultural mix, and rich history, which makes it a great place to live. We are proud to call our home Camberwell. The Boundary Commission has an obligation to recognise communities and try and keep them together. We will submit a response to the Boundary Commission proposal on the 2nd August 21. We will be asking that it reconsiders the current proposal and recognises Camberwell, as defined by the postcode SE5, as a community. Call to action If you feel the same, then please sign our petition, so together we can ask the Commission to ensure we keep Camberwell together. LINKS https://www.change.org/p/boundary-commission-for-england-keep-camberwell-together-se5 or short form http://chng.it/wdHV57b5sh