The end of Montgomeryshire?

Montgomeryshire could soon disappear off the political map, ending one of the UK's oldest constituencies - and Newtown and Welshpool will be served by two different MPs

Plans have been unveiled that will merge the area's current Westminister political boundary with that of Brecon and Radnor in the south and part of a Glyndwr and North Powys constituency.

The changes are part of a Wales-wide review by the Boundary Commission that will affectively reduce the number of MPs by a quarter. Under the proposals, Wales will reduce its number of MPs from 40 to 30.

Montgomeryshire will be split just south of Welshpool with the northern part joining the new Glyndwr and North Powys Constituency, while south of there, including Montgomery and Newtown, will join the current Brecon and Radnor.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said it was hard to take the disappearance of Montgomeryshire, but the Conservatives had promised before the election to cut the number of Westminister MPs.

"I'm hugely disappointed - but its difficult to gripe because we voted for change," he said. "The people wanted less politicians, so we fought the General Election saying that we would cut from 650 to 585. The Lib Dems wanted 500. We've actually cut to 600. Can't gripe but it still makes it hard to take."

The plans are open to public consultation until 4th April. The final plans will be put to Parliament in October 2013 with new constituencies expected to be formed in the folllowing political term.

Secretary to the Boundary Commission, Ben Whitestone, told BBC News: "People may write in or e-mail us to let us know what they think of the commission's proposals - whether they accept or object - 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."