MP expresses surprise at proposal to 'slice apart' Honiton & Tiverton constituency

Honiton and Tiverton MP Neil Parish said he was not expecting his constituency to be "sliced apart" in today's proposals from the Boundary Commission for England.

The proposals announced today could see the Conservative MP's current constituency, which includes Axminster, split into separate Honiton and Tiverton & Minehead constituencies.

The new Honiton constituency would include Honiton, Cullompton, Axminster and Seaton, as well as Sidmouth and Ottery which would be moved from the current East Devon constituency, represented by Conservative Simon Jupp MP.

A new Exmouth constituency would replace the remainder of the current East Devon constituency.

Tiverton would be combined with the current Bridgewater and West Somerset constituency, represented by Conservative Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, to create the new Tiverton and Minehead constituency.

Commenting on the proposals, Mr Parish expressed shock at being "cut in half".

He said: "I was not expecting Tiverton and Honiton to be sliced apart. It was certainly a surprise, and this clearly affects my position as the constituency's MP.

"My current electorate will be split and so I will no longer be able to represent each of my current constituents.

"I will have to await the final proposals in full, to ensure I have all the details, before I can make any decisions on whom I will seek to represent within the new boundaries."

The Boundary Commission's current review will conclude with a formal report and recommendations in June 2023, which are likely to be implemented.

The proposals are currently under public consultation until August 2. Maps and details on how to submit a response are available at www.bcereviews.org.uk