A SECOND consultation has been launched into plans which could see Newport lose one of its two MPs and the Islwyn seat scrapped altogether.

In September, the Boundary Commission for Wales, presented a set of proposals for a review of Parliamentary seats as part of a plan to cut the overall number of UK MPs by 50 to 600.

A consultation into the plans was held last year and today, Tuesday, the organisation has released all the feedback it received, including transcripts of public hearings. It is now calling for feedback on the responses it received to the first consultation.

Among the proposals are to create 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. Langstone, Llanwern and the remainder of Newport East would be merged into Monmouth, while Graig and Rogerstone would join Caerphilly and Caerleon would become part of Torfaen.

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

The proposals also include scrapping the Islwyn seat, currently held by Labour’s Chris Evans, altogether, with its northern section becoming part of Blaenau Gwent, the southern part joining Caerphilly and Aberbargoed falling into Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

But they proved unpopular with many Gwent politicians, with Newport West MP Paul Flynn calling them “a serious blow to Newport” and Islwyn’s Chris Evans MP said the plans were “nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt by the government to gerrymander the political landscape in their favour”.

The commission’s secretary Steve Halsall said: “We are keen to hear people’s views.

“Where people object, particularly where they can supply counter-proposals, the commission will give full consideration and may amend its proposals accordingly.”

To view the responses or for more information visit bcw2018.org.uk or call them on 029 20464819.

The new consultation will run until Monday, March 27, 2017.