WILTSHIRE MPs want to hear their constituents’ views on plans that will change the county’s political map in the run-up to the next general election in 2020.

Under draft plans, the number of parliamentary constituencies will fall, reducing the number of MPs in Parliament by 50 to 600.

If the local boundary changes suggested by the independent Boundary Commission go through, MP for South West Wiltshire, Andrew Murrison, would lose Trowbridge and its surrounding parishes to current Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan but Warminster and Westbury would join parts of North Dorset to form the Warminster and Shaftesbury seat.

“I am unsettled by these plans. I feel very privileged to represent South West Wiltshire and I do not want to see it divided up,” said Dr Murrison.

“I am for the proposal to reduce the number of MPs but I am not sure this initial plan is the right way to go about it.

“This is an early part of the process and I expect the plans will be altered down the line but I would encourage people to put forward their views on this matter.

“On a personal level, I am very comfortable with what I have after 15 years. I would much rather it remained as it is.

“I do feel that each constituency should have the same number of voters in them but any plan that is put forward will take time to flesh out.”

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan, whose new seat would be re-named Trowbridge, said that while she supported the need for boundary changes she would be fighting to keep the town of Chippenham within her constituency.

Ms Donelan, who lives in the town and has her office there, said: “I am involved in a number of campaigns including Corsham station and improvements for Chippenham town centre that take a while to see results. I will be putting together a proposal for how the boundary changes proposal could be altered.”

She said that at an informal meeting of Wiltshire MPs on Tuesday held to discuss the draft proposals there was a united spirit.

She said: “The proposals to change Andrew’s constituency is even greater than mine as he will be going across two counties and two councils.

“The proposal is for me to lose Chippenham but to take on the whole of Trowbridge. We need to look at the details and see if there are changes we can put forward.”

The MPs now have three weeks to put together any recommendations for the Boundary Commission.

Devizes MP Claire Perry would gain Calne but lose villages on Salisbury Plain. She said: “These boundary changes seek to equalise the number of voters in each Wiltshire constituency and more closely link constituencies with council ward boundaries.

“While I generally support both measures, I would be sorry that some areas would be lost from the constituency, but would be proud to represent people living in and around Calne where my daughters went to school.

“But these are just proposals and I will be examining them closely over the next few months and consulting my constituents for their views.”

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan did not respond to our request for a comment.

To post a comment about the boundary reviews visit the website https://www.bce2018.org.uk/