Boundary Commission proposals see creation of new constituency but no loss of MP numbers in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Suffolk

New Boundary Commission proposals see a planned new constituency joining Downham Market and Wisbech now stretched to include Swaffham.

The revised maps show the proposed new Wisbech and Downham Market constituency spreading further into Norfolk to include Swaffham and several surrounding villages.

The new proposals also retain the number of Norfolk seats at nine, with no reduction of numbers in neighbouring Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, but redrawn boundaries to ensure a similar number of voters in each.

The revision also sees the Broadland constituency disappear by name with the area divided into Mid Norfolk, North Norfolk and Norwich North.

A new constituency, Norfolk Coastal, will be created to include Great Yarmouth and part of North Norfolk.

The commission first released its original plans last year and held a wide-ranging public consultation on the initial proposals.

It has now just published its revised plans and will press ahead with making recommendations to the government with an aim for the changes to go before Parliament this time next year.

But the Liberal Democrats have made no secret of the fact they will not support the changes after a political row within the coalition over reforming the House of Lords.

Nick Clegg has made it clear that the legislation would not be backed – but Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said the proposals were still valid and should still be presented to Parliament as they were part of the pre-election manifesto.

'If the Liberal Democrats do not support the boundary changes it would be a breach of the letter of the coalition. It would be a severe blow to the trust,' he said.

Mr Bellingham added that the issue should not be considered as a fruitless exercise in light of the Lib Dems not backing the move, as it was still to be considered by Parliament.

His seat remains untouched in the reviewed proposals, although under the first revision north west Norfolk would have been expanded.