‘Momentous' day as Montgomeryshire retained for next election

Plans to split Montgomeryshire in two for voting purposes at the next General Election have been binned by the 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies by the four UK Boundary Commissions.

The Montgomeryshire constituency has been intact since 1542, but it was proposed that it be split in two and added to other constituencies for future elections as Parliament bids to reduce the number of sitting MPs.

But following considerable local resistance, current Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams said that the final plans had been redrawn.

“It is a momentous day for Montgomeryshire,” said Mr Williams. 

“I am very pleased that our historic county and constituency of Montgomeryshire will remain intact at the next General Election, to be enlarged into the new ‘Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr’ constituency.

“We will be welcoming several new neighbouring communities and wards, which are currently within the Clwyd South constituency.

“It is fantastic news that Montgomeryshire will continue to be represented within Parliament, having been so since 1542.”

But Montgomeryshire Plaid Cymru county councillor and MyWelshpool columnist Elwyn Vaughan wasn't so happy, stating: "The new Westminster Montgomeryshire will now extend from Glandyfi to the edge of Wrecsam! We'll have to go through Shropshire to go from one part to the other. Totally bonkers! And they call it democracy." 

It was thought that the old county would be split down the middle, with one half added to Clwyd south and the other to Brecon & Radnor.

But following today’s final recommendations, it appears that Montgomeryshire will remain.