A Shropshire MP has pledged to continue fighting for areas set to be moved to a different constituency at the next election.
Helen Morgan said she was saddened to be losing some of the “most beautiful parts of Shropshire” from her constituency after the Boundary Commission’s recommended shrinking it to bring the number of voters Ms Morgan represents closer to the national average.
But the Liberal Democrat MP said she would continue working hard for residents of the Cheswardine and Hodnet areas right up until polling day, when the boundary changes will take effect.
Under the recommendations published today, the two Shropshire Council divisions – which are both represented by Conservative councillors – will move to The Wrekin seat, held by Conservative Mark Pritchard.
The changes will see the North Shropshire electorate shrink from 82,314 to 77,052 – but it will be the constituency with the highest electorate in the West Midlands region.
Ms Morgan said: “It’s good to finally have clarity on the boundary changes for the next election.
“It is a huge privilege and a pleasure to represent residents in the Hodnet and Cheswardine divisions, and it is upsetting to lose what are some of the most beautiful parts of Shropshire and the most wonderful rural communities.
“However, I will continue to fight for them until the new seat takes effect, and I will keep championing issues like ambulance waiting times and poor bus services, which have a huge impact across rural Shropshire.
“I welcome the challenge of the new constituency, and know that the boundary commissioners have had to make tough decisions in putting together proposals which create seats with even populations.
“This means I can focus even more on local issues in our area after the next election.”
Ms Morgan has represented North Shropshire since a by-election in December 2021, called after the resignation of the former Conservative MP Owen Paterson.
The report issued today by the Boundary Commission says: “We have noted the latest consultation responses with evidence of local ties between Hodnet and Cheswardine wards and the North Shropshire town of Market Drayton.
“North Shropshire constituency must, however, lose a large number of electors in order to bring it within the permitted range.
“Notwithstanding the local ties to Market Drayton, responses from these two wards did not suggest any viable alternative configuration that would see them retained in the North Shropshire constituency without causing significant disruption to other constituencies and/or breaking local ties elsewhere.”
The changes will take affect at the next general election, which must be held no later than January 2025.
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