Politicians unite to fight Bilston boundary plan

More than 150 people packed out a public meeting to protest against controversial plans to split Bilston between four different MPs.

Politicians of all parties came together to officially launch a campaign urging the Boundary Commission to change its plans so that the town is not divided and "cast to the four winds".

• See the boundary proposals in our gallery

The controversial proposals would see Pat McFadden's Wolverhampton South East constituency abolished with Bilston divided between the two remaining Wolverhampton ones.

Parts of the town would also come under the jurisdiction of MPs for Walsall and Dudley.

The council wards of Bilston North and East Park would belong to a new Wolverhampton North constituency while Blakenhall and Ettingshall would go to Wolverhampton South. Bilston East would become part of Walsall West and Spring Vale and Coseley East would go to Dudley West.

Residents, councillors and civic leaders have claimed the changes would "tear up" Bilston's proud identity.