Twickenham MP Munira Wilson has slammed planned boundary changes that could see Twickenham's parliamentary constituency change shape.

The proposals would put Whitton into two different constituencies, as part of a shake up of electoral boundaries in England by the government-sponsored Boundary Commission.

The plans, announced in June this year, are intended to even out the number of voters per MP, but Wilson called the proposed changes to her constituency "perverse".

The Liberal Democrat MP, whose party has set up a petition to keep Whitton in Twickenham's constituency, said Whitton has "no natural or historical links" to Brentford and Isleworth, the constituency that the north part of the town would be joining.

Instead, the plans would "likely result in the needs of Whitton residents being overlooked," she claimed.

In her formal response to a consultation on the proposals, Wilson, who lives in Whitton's Heathfield ward, wrote: "I object to this entire process.

"The Twickenham constituency should remain as it is - unchanged - given both the borough boundary and the natural boundary of the river.

"I am opposed to the arbitrary limits on voter numbers that have been set in legislation by the Conservative government to suit their own political purposes, which have resulted in the Boundary Commission's perverse proposal to divide the area of Whitton through the middle."

She explained: "A large part of Whitton will remain in Twickenham constituency in the ward of Heathfield and part of the St Margarets & North Twickenham ward.

"The heart of Whitton, including the High Street and station, will be ripped out, along with 3 primary schools.

"Whitton has no natural or historical links with Brentford & Isleworth constituency, but it is intimately linked to Twickenham, especially the rugby stadium. Many residents shop and send their children to school in Twickenham.

"Whitton ward would be an "orphan" Richmond ward with only Hounslow wards in the Brentford & Isleworth constituency."

The MP concluded that "the legislation on equal constituencies is fundamentally flawed," adding: "The proposal is strongly opposed by Whitton residents and local councillors.

"It breaks natural community links and creates an orphan ward - two important principles for the Boundary Commission for England in drawing up boundaries."

In June, Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said that the proposals were just the "initial thoughts" of the body.

He said: "We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right."

English constituencies are required by law to have between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, he added.

Further consultations on the changes are planned for 2022. You can read more about how to have your say HERE.

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