"The closest town of a similiar size to Stratford, that would be in their electorate, is Te Kuiti."
While Allan is involved in politics, being an active member of the local National Party, he says his concerns regarding the proposed changes are not party specific. They are, he says, from the perspective of wanting everyone, regardless of their political views, to have "the practical ability to participate as citizens of a democracy".
The electorate boundary changes under discussion were proposed following the results of the 2013 census, with the aim of ensuring electorates all have a similiar number of people, giving equal representation.
The Representation Commission has released details of the objections to the proposed changes that they have received, with commission chairman, Bernard Kendall, saying that a number of the objectors want to see the existing electorate boundaries retained.
Allan says he is happy with the change overall, but wants to see the rural areas of Stratford included in the change. He points out that Whanganui can still accommodate another 1850 people and be within the Electorate Commission quota. He has therefore made a counter-objection and is hoping other people will do the same.
"It is much easier to access your MP, and to make your voice heard, when you are close to your electoral community," says Allan, adding that he fears residents in parts of rural Stratford could become isolated if the proposed boundary changes go ahead as they are.
The list of submissions, to which counter-objections can be made, can be found on the electoral commission website, and people have until Wednesday, January 29 at 5pm to make their counter-objections.
"People are welcome to look at my counter-submission and to get ideas on how to make their own," says Allan, noting that time is running out if people do want to have their say.
Allan can be contacted via his website: www.renaissancenz.co.nz