Government rejects West Surrey and South Middlesex name plan

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 10:02 · Archive

The government has rejected a plan to rebrand a new council as West Surrey and South Middlesex.

Middlesex campaigners said they were 'gutted' after the government rejected efforts to rebrand a new authority as West Surrey and South Middlesex. The shadow authority had passed a motion in July to introduce the new name before official branding was due in October, but the housing minister wrote to reject the request last week.

The decision was met with dismay by campaigners who had hoped the government would have 'done the right thing for once'. The minister indicated the government could take legal advice on whether it was possible to use a more widely accepted name without a formal legal change. However, critics said the council should have checked the legality before advancing the proposal.

Middlesex was abolished as a local authority on 1 April 1965. Councillor Harry Boparai, who put forward the original motion, said the South Middlesex area represented 'one sixth of the new authority' and that they did not want to be 'the dysfunctional cousins on the side'.

How it is being reported

• South Middlesex campaigners 'gutted' after West Surrey name change failsMiddlesex campaigners said they were ‘gutted’ after the Government pulled the rug on efforts to bring back the historic county’s name – but critics said the council should have checked the legality first.Farnham Herald · 15 Oct, 09:33
• South Middlesex campaigners 'gutted' after West Surrey name change fails'South Middlesex is one sixth of the new authority. We are part of the family, we don't want to be the dysfunctional cousins on the side.'Surrey Live · 15 Oct, 07:48

In this story: Middlesex · West Surrey · South Middlesex · Harry Boparai

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