Shropshire’s five MPs today gave a lukewarm response to plans to change Parliamentary constituencies.

They said the plans were not set in stone and there was plenty of time for residents to speak out.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski and North Shropshire Conservative MP Owen Paterson were pleased that the boundaries of their constituencies were not going to be changed. However, the three Shropshire MPs whose boundaries could be redrawn were circumspect.

The plans have been drawn up in a bid to give most UK constituencies around 75,000 voters and to save up to £12 million in Parliament by reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in time for the next election.

Mr Paterson said: “It is absolutely right that Parliament is reduced and we level up the number of voters. From my point of view, North Shropshire falls within the criteria and I am very pleased that it remains the same. I was born there and have represented it for 14 years. I am familiar with it and the people are familiar with me. It is a unit that works.”

Mr Kawczynski said: “I am very pleased that the Shrewsbury and Atcham boundary is staying the same, though I am disappointed that they are taking the word Atcham from the constituency.

“The wording is significant because it illustrates that the constituency is rural and has great heritage. I may write to ask whether the name Atcham can be retained.”

One of the biggest changes will come to the Ludlow constituency, which could incorporate a vast swathe of north Herefordshire.

Philip Dunne, Conservative MP For Ludlow, urged people to speak out. He said: “These are very early days in the process of changing parliamentary constituency boundaries. But I am surprised that the Boundary Commission has proposed such wide ranging changes to the Ludlow constituency.

“While it was clear that one of the Shropshire seats would extend into a neighbouring county, no-one had predicted that the Boundary Commission would propose a southern boundary for a combined Ludlow and Leominster seat, extending as far south as Herefordshire’s southern boundary with Monmouthshire. This would make the constituency one of the largest geographic seats in the country.

“A new constituency is also proposed combining key wards in south east Shropshire, including Bridgnorth, Broseley, Much Wenlock and Worfield from the Ludlow constituency, with Shifnal and Albrighton from The Wrekin to form a new seat with Telford wards south of the M54, which would be known as Bridgnorth and Telford South. I encourage local residents to take part in the public consultation”.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, said: “The proposals announced this week are just one submission in a very long process. Moreover, the Liberal Democrats may eventually vote against boundary changes in the House of Lords, which would stop the Bill in its tracks.

“Whatever, the outcome, the Boundary Commission must consult widely and take into account the views of local people and their historic ties to parliamentary seats. This whole process must be people driven – not bureaucrat driven.”

David Wright, Labour MP For Telford, said he thought there ought to be a Telford-only constituency.

He said: “I was surprised by the proposals and how extensive they are. I would have thought Telford should have its own seat. Having said that, these are draft proposals and they don’t come in until the next election, if at all. It is important that the public have their say and in the meantime I will be continuing to focus on my job, serving my constituents. People need to look at the plans and have their say.”

He added: “This is a long process and it is important that we focus on serving our constituents.”

Find out how your constituency changes

Bridgnorth and Telford South

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Ludlow and Leominster

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North Shropshire

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Shrewsbury

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Telford North & The Wrekin

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