LARGS could be saying farewell to Ayrshire as part of radical new proposals.

The Boundary Commission have put forward plans to change boundaries for Westminster MPs.

Despite having few political links, plans are in place for an Inverclyde and Largs constituency, which would include West Kilbride, Millport, Fairlie and Skelmorlie – all of which sit in the current North Ayrshire and Arran seat, held by the SNP's Patricia Gibson.

The review is the result of the decision to cut back the number of MPs from 665 to 600 by the next scheduled election in 2020.

Scotland would see its number of MPs reduced from 59 to 53.

One of the main aims of the review is to create more evenly weighted constituencies.

North Ayrshire and Arran currently has an electorate of just over 70,000. Inverclyde, on the other hand, has just 56,000.

As the proposals would create constituencies of between 71,031 and 78,507, Inverclyde alone would require a significant increase to meet the quota.

An earlier proposal included Largs in a constituency focused on Renfrewshire.Other parts of North Ayrshire would be spread across new Cunninghame West and West Renfrewshire constituencies.

Local politicians have been giving us their early reaction.

SNP Councillor Alan Hill said: “This is a ridiculous proposal from UK Government which clearly neither understands nor cares about local communities and connections. As someone said on Twitter, courtesy of the Tory Government, Inverclyde has managed to do to Largs what the Vikings couldn’t and annexed it!”

However, Conservative Councillor Tom Marshall kept his cards closer to his chest.

Apart from the comment that " It is nice to see  Largs now on the Political map as in" Inverclyde and Largs”, referring to the official Conservative statement: "The Boundary Commission  will produce their initial proposals for Westminster constituencies.  It is very important that no Conservative gives any view until the Party has agreed a position for all of Scotland. I would also ask that  Council groups do not agree with any motions"

There will be public hearings on the proposals, including.

  • Glasgow - 24 November - Royal Concert Hall, 220 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G2 3NY
  • Ayr - 1 December - Ayr Town Hall, New Bridge Street, Ayr KA7 1JX

Boundary Commission Review 2018

Full story and reaction in next week's News.