David Ruffley welcomed news that the Boundary Commission for England has today accepted the Conservative Party's recommendation on the future of parliamentary boundaries in Suffolk.

At the Public Inquiry held in Ipswich in June, the Conservatives argued that the villages of Great and Little Whelnetham and Sicklesmere should remain part of the Bury St Edmunds constituency. The Conservatives proposed that the villages of Horringer and Ickworth should join the Bury St Edmunds parliamentary constituency as the residents of those villages have greater links to Bury St Edmunds than to either Haverhill or Newmarket. There was a great deal of public support for the Conservative proposals - including from representatives of the parish councils affected by the changes.

David Ruffley said:"This is excellent news for local people in the villages of Great and Little Whelnetham and Sicklesmere. As their Member of Parliament since 1997, I have worked hard representing their interests in the House of Commons.

I look forward to getting to know the people of Horringer and Ickworth in the years to come, and helping them to the best of my ability."

It will also be fantastic to have the historic Ickworth House now in my constituency.'

Eric Flack, Chairman of Bury St Edmunds Conservatives, added:

"I welcome this decision by the Boundary Commission and feel sure the addition of 774 electors from Horringer and Ickworth will further strengthen the Conservative Party in the Bury St Edmunds constituency. We look forward to welcoming Horringer and Ickworth to our organisation - already the strongest political party in the Bury St Edmunds constituency."

Notes to Editors:
The Boundary Commission bases its recommendations on electorates as in 2000.

Using 2000 figures, the Borough ward of Horringer and Whelnetham contained 1719 electors. 945 of whom (55%) are currently in the Bury St Edmunds constituency, in the villages of Sicklesmere, Great and Little Whelnetham. 774 (45%) are in the West Suffolk constituency, in the villages of Horringer and Ickworth.

THE PROPOSED CHANGES WILL NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION AFTER NEXT - LIKELY TO BE IN 2008 OR 2009.