The proposals to take St Thomas, Exwick, Cowick and Alphington out of Exeter and put them in a huge rural constituency including places like Hatherleigh, Okehampton and Widecombe in the Moor have met with massive opposition.
I know from helping collect signatures against the plans that the opposition is overwhelming throughout Exeter and virtually unanimous west of the river. In many streets that have been canvassed almost every elector has signed.
Scores of individuals and organisations ranging from Age Concern and branches of the Royal British Legion and Women�s Institute to the Bishop of Exeter have written to the Boundary Commission to lodge formal objections.
In fact, I am told the Commission has received among the biggest ever numbers of objections to its plans for Exeter.
It is good that they have listened to these local voices and acknowledged the strength of feeling.
But the battle is not won yet.
The argument will have to be made and won in the weeks to come and at the public inquiry in December.
Because of Exeter�s size it is likely that the constituency will have to get a little smaller.
The Commission will be looking for those who object to its plans to come up with convincing alternatives of their own.
My view is that if we have to lose anything it makes more sense to transfer Topsham and St Loyes into a new more compact East Devon constituency including places like Broadclyst, Ottery and Exmouth and keep St Thomas, Exwick, Cowick and Alphington in Exeter.
This idea is supported by the city council, the South West Labour Party and others, including quite a lot of people in Topsham who feel they have more in common with East Devon anyway.
If you agree with this alternative or have one of your own, now is your chance to let the Boundary Commission know at Boundary Commission for England
PO Box 31060, London, SW1V 2FF.
