PROPOSALS that would see Montgomeryshire “cut up” as part of changes to parliamentary boundaries are a “disgrace”, a Machynlleth town councillor has said.

The controversial suggestions for new Westminster constituency borders would see Montgomeryshire split into three parts to join up with neighbouring constituencies despite opposition locally.

Machynlleth Town Council has added its opposition to the proposals from the Boundary Commission, insisting that the changes would not benefit Machynlleth and would see Machynlleth separated from neighbouring areas such as Aberystwyth and Newtown, despite there currently being strong links.

Cllr Rhydian Mason said he was very unhappy with the proposals. He said: “I think this is terrible. It’s a disgrace what they’re doing.

“They need to be looking at the boundaries already in place. It’s a deeply flawed plan and isn’t going to benefit the people of Machynlleth.

“We have more in common with towns like Aberystwyth and Newtown than towns like Ruthin, and that’s no disrespect to Ruthin.”

He added that the current shire boundaries should be seen as a starting point and that would allow Montgomeryshire to be linked with Ceredigion and south Meirionydd where there are close links already.

Cllr Michael Williams said he was also unhappy with the proposed redrawn constituency, but said he supported a reduction in the number of MPs.

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