A SHAKE-UP of MPs’ constituencies will “tear communities apart” and may even make a Labour advance in Southend West a tantalising prospect for the party.

Under new plans revealed by the Boundary Commission, West Leigh ward – currently in Sir David Amess’s Southend West seat – would move into Castle Point, represented by Tory MP Rebecca Harris.

As West Leigh - broadly considered to be a Tory-dominated ward – moves out, Labour-dominated council seats Milton, in the centre of Southend, and Victoria wards will move into Southend West.

In addition, a traditional Tory hotspot, Eastwood Park, will move into Rochford and Southend East currently held by Tory MP James Duddridge.

Southend Labour members have been left licking their lips at the prospect of strongholds Milton and Victoria moving into the traditional safe seat of Sir David Amess’ Southend West, potentially weakening his 14-000-vote majority.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal ward – in Rochford and Southend East – said: “It does look like a positive for us in Southend West, but it does balance itself out.

“We’ve lost out in Rochford and Southend East.”

However, he also spoke of his concerns about splitting up communities like Leigh and West Leigh.

He added: “The plans do seem counter-intuitive, it doesn’t make sense to split Leigh up.

“I was a bit surprised, I didn’t expect to see such a shift from my constituency to move to Southend West.

“It is concerning to see that communities may be split up. I expect there to be changes.”

Across south Essex, five Tory MPs swept home with huge majorities at the last general elections.

Southend Tory leader, Tony Cox, expressed his concerns at the plans. He said: “The plans are certainly interesting.

“The plans have been formalised through numbers, rather than where people affiliate too.

“Residents in Eastwood feel more close to Leigh, rather than Rochford and Southend East.

“It needs more careful thought. We wouldn’t want too many cooks spoiling the broth in Southend.

“At this stage, I think it’s premature to consider whether Southend West or Rochford and Southend East will be impacted at the next election.”

South Essex MPs were contacted for comment.