KINROSS-SHIRE could become part of the Dunfermline and West Fife seat under proposals to change the UK Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland.

Under the review, the UK is keeping the same number of constituencies as there are currently, 650. However, in line with new legislation, Scotland has been allocated 57 constituencies for the 2023 review, which would give us two fewer MPs than we have just now.

The proposals by the Boundary Commission for Scotland mean that Fife will still have four constituencies, if approved.

However, two will include electors from the Kinross-shire ward of Perth & Kinross Council in addition to Fife voters. West Fife is to be one of the constituencies – it will be similar to the existing Dunfermline and West Fife area that is represented by Douglas Chapman MP but the boundary would follow the M90 motorway and include Crook of Devon.

Together with the current 1-5 wards, that would give the West Fife constituency 70,011 electors.

There are no proposed changes for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat, which includes Aberdour and Dalgety Bay and has, based on March 2020 figures, 74,637 electors in the council wards of 6,7 and 9 to 12.

The proposed Glenrothes and Loch Leven constituency would include Kinross. Any possible changes would come in from 2024.

Kinross-shire is currently represented in the Ochil and South Perthshire constituency which is held by SNP MP John Nicolson.

Anyone wishing to comment on the initial proposals can do so until December 8. A second consultation will be held early next year during which all comments will be published and people will be given the opportunity to have their say on the comments received. Between two and five public hearings will also be held.

If the commission decides to alter its proposals, revisions will be published and a further consultation will take place in 2022.

It will not affect the boundaries of the Scottish Parliament constituencies nor of council areas or wards.