PLANS to change Inverclyde’s UK Parliament constituency boundaries have been criticised by the area’s MP.

The Boundary Commission for Scotland wants to create a new constituency called Inverclyde & Erskine but Ronnie Cowan says this will make it much more difficult to represent constituents.

The proposed new seat would take in the current Inverclyde constituency, plus Langbank, Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Erskine and Inchinnan - increasing the size of the electorate from 58,853 to 77,184.

Proposals are being put forward because the UK Parliament wants to reduce the number of constituencies from 650 to 600, and in Scotland this means 59 constituencies will be cut to 53.

But Mr Cowan wants the government to scrap plans to reduce the number of MPs in Scotland.

He said: “Over the past two years my office has handled almost 4,000 cases for people in Inverclyde.

“Under the proposed boundary changes my constituency office will also need to cover Erskine, Bishopton and Bridge of Weir.

“Increasing the electorate size to over 77,000 will make it much more difficult to represent constituents, particularly at a time when welfare reforms and the rollout of universal credit is greatly increasing the number of people contacting me for assistance.”

He said the increased geographic size of the constituency will also mean longer journeys and increased travel costs for some constituents.

Mr Cowan added: “In terms of my own diary commitments, the addition of three extra towns will limit the amount of time I can dedicate to visiting organisations and individuals in a constituency that would stretch from Wemyss Bay to the boundary of Clydebank.

“The UK Government is pressing ahead with these changes with complete disregard for the level of service MPs are able to offer their constituents. I will continue to oppose these changes so that people in Inverclyde have access to the best possible service from the elected member now and in the future.” 

An eight week public consultation will now take place but the Commission expects new constituencies to be used in the 2022 general election.