Calls have been made for the Boundary Commission for Wales to amend its ‘undemocratic’ revised proposals for the Swansea Valley.
The recently published Boundary Commission proposals would see the Swansea Valley sharing an MP with Brecon and Radnorshire, and be part of a new ‘Brecon, Radnor and Cwm-Tawe’ seat.
The constituency seat would stretch from Trebanos and Pontardawe to Rhayader and Presteigne.
The Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Fay Jones, said that she would welcome the nine new wards of the Tawe Valley.
She said: "This boundary review aims to standardise the number of constituents each MP represents.
“I welcome the addition of nine wards from the Tawe valley which is an extension of the Ystradgynlais area I proudly represent.
“There will now be a short consultation window before the proposals are progressed in July.”
The changes have been made following a Westminster decision to reduce the number of Welsh MPs.
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However, the news has not been welcomed by Sioned Williams, Senedd member for South Wales West.
Sioned Williams MS said: “It is unacceptable that Wales is in a situation where our democratic voice is being unceremoniously slashed by 20 per cent and the changes proposed to the representation for the Swansea Valley is completely inacceptable.
"Lumping the post-industrial valley communities of Cwm Tawe with the distant rural areas like Brecon and Radnor makes absolutely no sense, and will make serving these communities effectively impossible.
"In forming its proposals The Boundary Commission was able to take into into account geographical considerations and barriers such as mountains, the "accessibility" of a constituency, local government boundaries as well as "local ties" that would be broken by changes and the "inconveniences" of changes.
“The proposals for the Swansea Valley fit all of these criteria and yet the representations pointing this out have been ignored.
"What's being proposed is simply undemocratic. At this tumultuous time in politics and with the cost of living crisis hitting communities, it more vital than ever that people have faith in the political process and the system of democratic representation.
“I urge The Boundary Commission to reconsider this proposal and would ask all concerned fellow residents of the Swansea Valley to submit their objections."
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