Montgomeryshire could lose its seat in Parliament under plans to cut the number of MPs, it emerged today.

The Electoral Reform Society of Wales has warned that the seat – won by Tory Glyn Davies at the last election from colourful Lib Dem Lembit Opik – could be deemed surplus to requirements under the proposals.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition’s proposals to cut the number of Welsh MPs in Westminster from 40 to 30 would result in just one MP covering Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecknockshire – to be called the Brecon and Montgomery constituency.

Annabelle Harle, director of the ERSW, said the move would see people who live in Caersws, Glantwymyn, Llanbrynmair and Machynlleth — currently covered by Mr Davies – falling into a different constituency which could be called Gwynedd & Machynlleth.

People living in Llanidloes, Llanfair Caereinion, Llandinam, Rhayader, Llanyre, Nantmel and Blaen Hafren – would then move to the Ceredigion and Rhayader constituency.

Test

Those living in Llanwrtyd Wells and Maescar/Llywel could fall under the Carmarthen constituency.

Miss Harle said: “This comes from a test of the new proposals which would see constituencies dependent on number of people rather than area. Under these proposals we worked out that the current Montgomeryshire seat would be one of those scrapped.”

She added that a reduction in Welsh MPs at Westminster would “threaten the ability of the Welsh Assembly to govern effectively.”

Glyn Davies, current Montgomeryshire MP, said: “The ERSW proposals are unacceptable, unworkable and show a frightening lack of knowledge about Mid Wales.

“I accept that there’s a case for extending the boundary of the Montgomeryshire constituency, but by taking in all or part of Meirionydd or Radnorshire.

“To create a new narrow constituency stretching from the Berwyns to the Beacons is idiotic. I will do all I can to prevent such an ill-thought through proposal becoming reality.”

Mr Opik added: “I don’t see how it would work having one MP covering the vast majority of Powys.”

By Anwen Evans