Bridgnorth could be 'forgotten' in boundaries shake-up, fears mayor

Under plans revealed by the Boundaries Commission this week, Bridgnorth will no longer form part of the Ludlow constituency, currently held by Philip Dunne for the Conservatives.

Instead it would merge with parts of Telford and the Wrekin to form a new constituency called Bridgnorth, Wellington and the Wrekin. The seat would also take in Broseley and Much Wenlock.

Bridgnorth's mayor, Councillor Vanessa Voysey said she is concerned that the needs of the people of Bridgnorth will be forgotten in a large constituency.

Councillor Voysey said: "We're still going to be represented by an MP, the whole thing is going to be done to have less MPs to fund.

"As long as we're having proper representation then I can't see any great problems with it.

"At the moment we're with Ludlow and all the way up to Bishops Castle so we're with a large rural area.

"Highley will stay with Ludlow, I am slightly concerned to see whether Highley would be supported by that's for the people of Highley to comment on.

"We are in a large rural constituency and sometimes the interest of Bridgnorth are forgotten so my concern would be that the needs of the people of Bridgnorth are still properly considered, that we're not submerged into a larger constituency where we're forgotten."

The rest of Ludlow would merge with parts of north Herefordshire to become the new Ludlow and Leominster constituency.

This new seat would also include Highley and Cleobury Mortimer.

The proposals are part of plans to reduce the size of the House of Commons by 50 seats from the current 650 to 600.

They envisage reducing the number of MPs in the West Midlands region from 59 to 53.

But the constituency shake-up has already sparked concerns in Bridgnorth.

MP for Ludlow Philip Dunne said the boundary changes are reviewed to reflect population changes.

He said it is fairer for constituencies to be roughly the same size, as it ensures that votes in a General Election carry equal weight, but that he will be sorry to lose any of his constituency.

He said: "I am proud to represent South Shropshire in the current Ludlow constituency and would be sorry to lose any of it."

Bridgnorth town councillor, Geoff Davies said the change would have a profound affect on Bridgnorth.

He said: "We've had a good link up with Philip Dunne and so now it will affect things."

Shropshire Councillor for Highley, Dave Tremellen, said he cannot see how it will work.

He said: "I can't see what they're playing at.

"Last time this happened only about 60 per cent of what they were proposing was carried through, I hope this will be the same.

"It seems like they're completely divorcing with local government.

"After proposing this they will sit back, then pick up what mess they've created afterwards."

The independent Boundary Commission will submit their final revisions in autumn 2018.