ISLWYN MP Chris Evans has slammed proposals which could see his Parliamentary seat scrapped.

In September the Boundary Commission for Wales presented proposals for a review of Parliamentary constituencies as part of a plan to cut the overall number of MPs in the UK by 50.

Among the seats which could be abolished is Islwyn, which would be merged into Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

Speaking during a public hearing into the proposals Mr Evans said he believed the plans were “nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt by the government to gerrymander the political landscape in their favour”.

‘The initial proposals made by the boundary commission do not make geographical sense,” he said.

“They tear communities such as Blackwood, Cefn Fforest and Pontllanfraith apart.

“A number of my constituents have been in touch with me, deeply concerned with the proposals.

“I fully agree with and will continue to voice their concerns.”

Iswlyn was created as a parliamentary seat in 1983 and counts ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock among its former MPs.

The proposals have also been criticised by other senior Labour figures in Islwyn, which chairman of the area’s branch of the party Cllr Tom Williams branded them “a disgrace”.

“If Islwyn constituency was abolished, it would lead to a damning democratic deficit for the voters of Islwyn,” he said.

Islwyn Labour spokesman Cllr Gez Kirby also criticised the plans.

“We don't want our villages and communities to be shuffled off into other constituencies with which have nothing in common,” he said.

Other recommendations include creating a single Newport constituency comprising Alway, Beechwood, Liswerry, Ringland, St Julians and Victoria in the east and Allt-yr-yn, Bettws, Gaer, Malpas, Marshfield, Pill, Shaftesbury, Stow Hill and Tredegar Park in the west, with Langstone, Llanwern and the remainder of Newport East merged into Monmouth, Graig and Rogerstone joining Caerphilly and Caerleon becoming part of Torfaen.

Croesyceiliog and Llanyfron, currently in Monmouth, will also be merged into Torfaen while the northern part of Caerphilly from Nelson upwards will become part of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

A consultation into the proposals will close on Monday, December 5. For information visit bcomm-wales.gov.uk.