Broughton residents are well-accustomed to the vagaries of political boundaries. Our own have long cut across numerous ties of shared obligation and belonging with all the sensitivity of those international divisions imposed by imperialists in the 19th and early-20th centuries.
What locals think of as Broughton now includes 2 Scottish Parliamentary constituencies, 1 Westminster constituency, 4 Council wards and 3 Community Councils in little more than a square kilometre.
Broughtonians are a pragmatic lot, and would rather get on with the business of living than launch guerilla resistance campaigns for a distinct homeland. However, following Boundary Commission revisions in 2010, even some seasoned observers are now confused about which constituency is theirs for the forthcoming Holyrood election.
To clarify, an official map can be downloaded here: Edinburgh Northern and Leith.
The redrawn (and newly named) constituency has expanded to embrace Quarryholes, Hermitage and the whole of Seafield Sewage Works. Simultaneously, it has lost to Edinburgh Central: Greenside and Calton; East London and Broughton Streets plus territory as far east as Gayfield Square; and also the entire New Town west of Broughton Street as far north as Glenogle Road.
How to respond? In the long term, there are advantages as well as disadvantages in the rather arbitrary-seeming Balkanisation of the 'village'. Some argue that it is divided and diminished by the change; others that, potentially, more political voices may now legitimately articulate Broughton concerns, rendering the area disproportionately influential in future. Certainly, this publication will continue to treat as one that patch – we loosely term 'Greater Spurtleshire' – which most locals instinctively recognise as their home turf (see map at About us).
In the short term, Spurtle will run a hustings specifically for Edinburgh Northern and Leith on 23 March, reviewing the decision afterwards in the light of general reaction and public attendance. We believe that – despite new-fangled boundaries – it will prove relevant to, enlightening and entertaining for, the majority of Broughton people.
The former Scottish Parliamentary constituency of Edinburgh North and Leith (1999–2010) can be found here; the similarly named Westminster constituency (in place since 2005) here. For further Edinburgh political maps, see Broughton today.