The Montgomeryshire constituency could be merged with part of a neighbouring MP's area under a review of the way Wales elects its MPs.

The total number of constituencies across Wales is expected to be reduced by eight under the Boundary Commission for Wales' proposals, which were revealed today.

The plans for Montgomeryshire

Unlike the 2016 boundary review, which proposed splitting Montgomeryshire in two and merging the northern half with Clwyd South, the latest proposed changes would see Montgomeryshire remain intact, but add part of what is currently the Clwyd South seat held by Conservative MP Simon Baynes.

Under the proposals, the seat would become known as Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr (Maldwyn a Glyndwr), and would include all of Montgomeryshire, with the areas of Corwen, Chirk and Llangollen added in.

Because the proposals are expected to be adopted at the next General Election, it would be up to the Conservative Party to decide whether to stand Mr Baynes – who lives near Llanfyllin – or incumbent Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams in the seat.

The remaining part of Mr Baynes' current constituency of Clwyd South – including Bronington and Overton – would be absorbed into the Wrexham seat.

The current Brecon and Radnorshire seat, held by Fay Jones, would remain as it is.

County Times: The commission's initial proposalsThe commission's initial proposals

What did the Commission say?

The Commission said it had taken into account geographical features, such as lakes, rivers and mountains, when shaping its proposals, and also considered “local ties”, such as “shared history and culture”.

Commenting on the initial proposals, the secretary to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Shereen Williams MBE, said: “This publication is the result of months of hard work from our commissioners and staff, and we’re excited to read the public’s views during our consultation period.

“We’ve had to propose significant changes due to the reduction in the number of Welsh constituencies and that’s presented a particular challenge as we seek to develop a map which meets the conditions laid out in the Act, but also meets the expectations of the people of Wales.

“We’re confident that our proposals are a strong first attempt to create a workable map of 32 Welsh constituencies. The purpose of our initial proposals however is to start the conversation about how the new map will look.

“Nobody will know your local area as well as you do, so get involved in the consultation and let us know your views.

“As we proceed with the review, we’re highly likely to make some changes to our proposals, so your responses to the consultation could make a significant difference.”

What about England?

Plans were published for England's redrawn boundaries in June. While Wales is due to lose eight seats, England will gain 10 and Scotland will drop by two. This is affected by a legal duty to draw up seats with between 69,724 to 77,062 electors, which meant changes were considered "inevitable".

In Shropshire, the initial recommendations would see Daniel Kawczynski’s constituency renamed to just ‘Shrewsbury’, with the border closing in on the south east of the town.

The lost wards of Burnell and Severn Valley – representing an electorate of 7,510, would be annexed to Philip Dunne’s constituency, to be renamed ‘Ludlow and Bridgnorth’.

Meanwhile Owen Paterson’s North Shropshire constituency would lose 6,503 electors in the council divisions of Hodnet and Cheswardine.

A consultation on the Welsh proposals will close on November 3.