Meet Clydesdale's new neighbour '“ England!

The Boundary Commission is proposing that a new Clydesdale and Eskdale Westminster patch replace two existing ones.

The constituencies in line to make way for it are Lanark and Hamilton East, held by the Scottish National Party’s Angela Crawley, and Scottish Secretary David Mundell’s Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweedale territory.

Conservative MP Mr Mundell said: “I support the reduction to the number of MPs, which will make Parliament more efficient and cost-effective, of which the inevitable consequence will be boundary changes.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed that it is proposed that the constituency I will have represented for 15 years by 2020 is going to be split five ways.

“I believe Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale has worked well, and it’s been an honour and privilege to be the local MP, but I also recognise changing boundaries are a complex matter and want to reflect on what the alternatives might be to what is proposed.

“There is now a public consultation process, which I urge everybody locally and across Scotland to take part in to see what revised proposals might be brought forward by the Boundary Commission.”

Ms Crawley is opposed to the proposals announced last Thursday, however, telling the Gazette: “It has been a privilege to represent Lanark and Hamilton East since my election last May.

“My focus remains on representing every one of my constituents as long as I have the honour of doing so.

“However, the proposals to cut the number of elected representatives in Scotland are unacceptable.

“At a time when Scotland already faces a deep and growing democratic deficit, it is vital that the Scottish people have strong elected representation at Westminster to stand up for Scotland’s interests and to hold the UK government to account.

“It is outrageous and undemocratic that the UK Government is planning to cut the number of Scottish MPs while it continues to pack the unelected and unaccountable House of Lords.”