VOTERS in Clackmannanshire will help elect the MP for Dunfermline in the next UK General Election after changes to parliamentary constituencies were put through by Fife Council.

Wee County residents in Dollar, Forestmill and Muckhart will be included in a new Dunfermline and Dollar seat as part of a re-drawing of the political boundaries.

Kincardine remains in the Dunfermline and Dollar seat, joining Culross, Limekilns, Oakley, Rosyth and parts of Kelty.

The new seat also extends westwards to cover the area surrounding Sauchie's Gartmorn Dam.

Changes to local polling districts and constituency boundaries were approved by Fife Council without debate at the full council meeting on Thursday.

The rest of Clackmannanshire will form part of the Alloa and Grangemouth seat.

 

SPLIT: The Boundary Commission changes will cut Clackmannanshire in half.

SPLIT: The Boundary Commission changes will cut Clackmannanshire in half.

 

The boundary shake-up comes amid plans to reduce the number of Scottish MPs at Westminster from 59 to 57.

John Nicolson, the current MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, representing Clackmannanshire currently at Westminster, had initially voiced his concerns at the "odd" proposals.

This week, Mr Nicolson confirmed he would be standing again in the re-drawn constituency.

He said: "I am delighted to have been selected to fight the next election as The SNP candidate for Alloa and Grangemouth.

"I’ll miss parts of my constituency in boundary changes. But much looking forward to making new Falkirk and Grangemouth friends – now joining forces with Clackmannanshire."

 

REPRESENTATIVE: John Nicolson was elected as MP for Ochil and South Perthshire in December 2019

REPRESENTATIVE: John Nicolson was elected as MP for Ochil and South Perthshire in December 2019

 

Changes to the boundaries have already been signed off by ministers and the final recommendations have to be implemented prior to the next UK Parliament election, which is due to be held no later than January 28, 2025.

The Boundary Commission of Scotland began its review of UK Parliament constituencies north of the border in January 2021.

The commission submitted its final recommendations to the UK Parliament on June 28.

The changes do not affect the boundaries of the Scottish Parliament constituencies or Clackmannanshire Council wards.