A RESTRUCTURING of parliamentary constituencies by the Boundary Commission for Wales will see Colwyn Bay and Rhyl under the same jurisdiction.

Welsh constituencies have been reduced from the current total of 40 to 32; this will come into force following the next general election (no later than January 2025).

The commission’s final recommendations will take effect automatically after the next election, without the need for parliamentary or government approval.

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Among its changes is the formation of a new “Clwyd North” constituency, comprising Denbigh, Rhyl, St Asaph, Abergele, Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, Mochdre and Pentre-Mawr.

A “Clwyd East” constituency will include parts of Wrexham and Flintshire, as well as Dyserth, Prestatyn, Llangollen and Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd.

The current Clwyd South, Vale of Clwyd and Clwyd West constituencies will be scrapped, meanwhile.

Elsewhere, the new “Bangor Aberconwy” seat will comprise the Bryn, Capelulo, Conwy, Craig-y-Don, Crwst, Deganwy, Gogarth, Gower, Llansanffraid, Marl, Mostyn, Pandy, Pant-yr-Afon, Penrhyn, Pensarn, Tudno, Deiniol, Dewi, Garth, Gerlan, Glyder, Hendre, Hirael, Marchog, Menai (Bangor), Ogwen, Pentir and Tregarth wards.

Ynys Môn had “protect status” and will remain its own, unchanged constituency under the new recommendations, and will also be the smallest in size of all 32 (52,415 electors).

Dwyfor Meirionnydd will be the largest of the 32 constituencies, with it now including the electoral wards of Corwen and Llandrillo.

The commission received representations that stated that the electoral wards have more ties with Dwyfor Meirionnydd and better road links to that constituency.

Its full list of recommendations can be found on its website.

Shereen Williams MBE, secretary to the Boundary Commission for Wales, said: “It is our firm belief that these recommendations represent the best way to create 32 constituencies in Wales which meet the requirements of the act, including taking account of geography and local ties.

“Though managing a significant reduction in the number of constituencies is never an easy task for a Boundary Commission, it has been made significantly easier thanks to the number and quality of representations we have received from the public, from MPs, from political parties, and from principal councils across Wales.

“The Commission would like to put on record its thanks to everyone who took part in the review and strengthened the recommendations.”