TORIES have breathed a sigh of relief after the Boundary Commission reversed a proposal which could have seen Southend West become a marginal seat for the first time in its history.

The commission announced its final decisions on changes which will see the number of Parliamentary seats in England increase from 533 to 543.

An earlier commission report proposed moving three Labour-leaning city centre wards, Milton, Victoria and Kursaal, into Southend West potentially removing its status as a safe seat for the Tories and attracting some accusations of “gerrymandering”.

However, the new changes will instead see St Luke’s Ward move from the current Rochford and Southend East constituency to the new Southend West and Leigh constituency, honouring the important and historic role of Leigh in the city.

Tory former Southend mayor, John Lamb, chairman of Southend West Conservative Association, said: “I think common sense has ruled. It actually means that whilst we’ve slightly changed we’re still recognisable as still Southend West and that is brilliant.

“If they had gone the other way we would have still worked on it but it could have made us more marginal than we would have been.

“When you look at it you think why were they doing it? It didn’t need to be changed but I thank a lot of the residents and the people who wrote into the Boundary Commission and registered their thoughts because that must have influenced them tremendously.”

Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough ward welcomed the recognition of Leigh. Mr Line tweeted: “I was born in Leigh, I was raised here, I live here and I work here. So I am delighted that Leigh will no longer be just a suburb of Southend.”

Anna Firth, Tory MP for Southend West, said: “I am delighted to see that the Boundary Commission listened to the voices of the hundreds of residents who wrote in to protest the former proposals.

“I am particularly delighted that the constituency will retain the name Southend West. The recognition of Leigh in the name will also be very much appreciated by residents. I welcome the addition of St Luke’s ward into the new seat.”

Sir James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East also welcomed the changes. He said: “For the residents of Southend, I welcome that the Boundary Commission has maintained the clear distinction between Southend East and Southend West and for recognising Southend’s city status when considering the name of the new constituencies.”

Roche North and Rural is no longer split between Rayleigh and Wickford and Rochford and Southend East, and is now full incorporated into the new seat of Southend East and Rochford.