A major shake-up of Members of Parliament is under way.

The Boundary Commission for England today unveiled a raft of changes to the parliamentary constituencies of Essex.

They include axing the North Essex seat currently held by Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, which surrounds the Liberal Democrat-held Colchester constituency, and includes all the borough's villages.

But some of the changes were today blasted for having neither "rhyme nor reason".

The proposals would not come into effect until after the next general election.

Under the scheme there will be a new-look Harwich constituency, which will extend as far up as Colchester borough, including Eight Ash Green, Great Tey, Wivenhoe and West Mersea.

There will also be a newly-created Witham constituency, which will include Stanway, Marks Tey, Tiptree, Birch and Winstree and Copford.

Claire Wheeler, clerk to Stanway Parish Council, said they knew nothing about the proposed changes, adding: "The parish council will be considering the issue in due course."

West Mersea mayor Alan Mogridge said: "The town council cannot see any rhyme or reason to it."

The reason for the wholesale overhaul is that populations in the different constituencies differ widely, and the proposals will help balance the numbers between different voting areas.

North Essex MP Mr Jenkin said: "It looks as though most of my constituency moves into Harwich. I am still digesting it quite frankly. In Stanway, the Colchester constituency would lose one of its Liberal Democrat strongholds."

Colchester MP Bob Russell today said: "Colchester will pretty much be left intact. In the case of Stanway, I am sorry to see the potential removal of any part of my current constituency as I have had good working relationships with people there."

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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