A LAUNCESTON town councillor has criticised the area’s MP for ‘sitting on the fence’ over ‘Devonwall,’ writes Amy Dennis.

At a recent meeting of Launceston Town Council, town councillor Paul O’Brien quipped that Conservative North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has ‘metal trousers to sit on that fence’, adding: “Somehow, he’s managing it.”

Cllr O’Brien was speaking in reference to the Boundary Commission for England, which is reviewing parliamentary constituency boundaries.

It proposes one constituency that contains electors from both Cornwall and Devon, crossing the boundary in the north of the two counties, combining the towns of Bude, Bideford, Launceston and Camelford — known as ‘Devonwall’.

Opposition to this proposed constituency boundary prompted a protest at Polson Bridge on October 30.

Mr Mann sent Launceston town clerk Christopher Drake a letter last month, in which Mr Mann noted the town council’s opposition to a cross-border parliamentary seat.

He wrote: “I am very much aware of the concern this has caused amongst some people in Cornwall and I’m currently taking soundings from North Cornwall constituents to get a better understanding of what the feeling is in the constituency.

“There are numerous hurdles for this Boundary Review to pass including public consultations and hearings which the people of North Cornwall can take part in.”

Cllr O’Brien said of recent opposition to the proposals in this area: “It was very sincere. If our MP hasn’t managed to pick that up he must be both blind and deaf or else so enthralled to his own government he is devoid of thinking on his own.”

Cllr Jane Nancarrow added: “Where’s the fairness to Cornwall? We have got some kind of special status, supposedly. “ Referencing the recent Polson Bridge protest, she added: “Not one Cornish MP was at that protest. Isn’t that sad?”

But Cllr John Conway said Mr Mann has received around 15 to 20 emails on the subject: “Email Scott, tell him your views. He’s had virtually an empty email box on this matter.”

Mr Mann told the Post: “Although the Cornish border will not actually be moving under this Boundary Review, I nevertheless understand the level of concern amongst some people in the county.

“This said, considering the amount of media attention this proposal has received, I have had only a small number of emails and letters from constituents on this issue.

“My job is to act in the best interests of constituents in North Cornwall and I am continually taking feedback from them on this and many other issues.”