Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell says local people have been listened to as the Boundary Commission published revised proposals for future local constituencies.
Mr Mundell who had led the fight last year when initial proposals had been mooted which would have split Annandale & Eskdale with Annan and Gretna in separate constituencies, and Heathhall and Locharbriggs in a different constituency from the rest of Dumfries, hailed the changes as a victory for local democracy. However, he confirmed that the changes will only go ahead if Parliament votes for them.
Commenting David Mundell MP said: “It is very welcome news that the Boundary Commission have made significant changes to their initial proposals for constituencies covering Dumfries & Galloway council area, which would have ripped apart local ties stretching back centuries.
“I was very vocal in my opposition to the proposals which would have seen Annandale & Eskdale broken up leaving Annan and Eastriggs in the same constituency as Stranraer, but in a different constituency from Gretna, which would have been completely illogical.
“I encouraged local people to make it known to the Boundary Commission that they didn’t want these local ties broken up, and I am grateful to the many people who did. The changes which keep Annandale & Eskdale together in one constituency and Heathhall and Locharbriggs remaining with Dumfries in another, are very much a victory for local democracy. Local opinion was so overwhelmingly against what was being proposed with break up of both Annandale & Eskdale and Dumfries, I believe the Commission had no choice to make the changes they have.
“There is further consultation to be carried out on these revised proposals and given they reflect local opinion, I would ask that people locally let the Commission know by December 11 that they support them. Of course, whatever the Commission recommendations, the changes will only go ahead if Parliament votes for them.”