CORNWALL’S six Conservative MPs have been challenged to use their influence to derail any attempts to create a cross-Tamar ‘Devonwall’ seat.

The challenge, by the leader of Mebyon Kernow, follows the announcement from senior Conservatives that they intend to push through a boundary review of parliamentary boundaries, following rules set out in the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act.

MK Leader Cllr Dick Cole said: ”The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act, if enacted, would inevitably lead to the creation of a cross-Tamar ‘Devonwall’ seat, but Cornwall’s MPs are in a position to challenge the leadership of their own party on this matter. They can push for the legislation to be revisited and the creation of a cross-Tamar constituency to be prevented.

”It remains my view that the territorial integrity of Cornwall — a historic Celtic nation — must be protected and that our future MPs must serve constituencies that lie entirely within the boundaries of Cornwall (and the Isles of Scilly).

”The Cornish people have been recognised as a ‘national minority’ and it would inconsistent to treat the historic border of Cornwall differently from those of Scotland and Wales, which the Government intends to respect when it comes to the delineation of new constituencies.”

Cllr Cole said he has written to the six MPs in 2015, but had been disappointed with the responses. He added: “The six MPs need to stand up for Cornwall and do what is right for the integrity of our historic nation — not what is helpful to the short-term political advantage of the Tory party.”

The boundary review proposes a reduction in the number of MPs from 650 to 600 to standardise the size of constituencies. Critics say the move would favour the Conservatives at the next general election.