LATEST proposals by the boundary commission could see Irvine’s new constituency re-named Arran and Cunninghame.

This follows previous plans announced last year which would see Dr Philippa Whitford’s Central Ayrshire constituency disappear – with Irvine and the whole of Kilwinning in the same constituency as the Three Towns and Dalry – currently in the North Ayrshire and Arran area.

The proposals would also continue to see Largs move into a new constituency outwith North Ayrshire.

This marks the start of an eight-week public consultation process, lasting from Tuesday October 17 until Monday, December 11.

The commission has prepared the revised proposals after considering the responses to its consultations on the its earlier plans published in October 2016.

Dr Philippa Whitford’s Central Ayrshire constituency will be re-drawn if proposals from the Boundary Commission go ahead which the MP previously described as bizarre.

She said: “The current proposition has some bizarre suggestions that do not match with local communities. What is bizarre is that the UK Government is cutting the number of elected representatives in the House of Commons while it has continued to expand the House of Lords.”

Currently, the SNP politician serves Irvine, parts of Kilwinning, Troon, Prestwick and several South Ayrshire villages including Dundonald, Annbank and Tarbolton.

But the potential changes mean her seat is now under threat by the new Arran and Cunninghame, Ayr & Carrick, Kilmarnock, Cumnock & Doon Valley seats.

The latter seat would see Irvine and Kilwinning join the Three Towns and Arran as part of the same seat. Troon and Prestwick would be represented in the Ayr & Carrick constituency.

The move forms part of proposals to reduce the total number of MPs in the House of Commons from 650 to 600.

In Scotland this means that 59 constituencies will be reduced to 53.