Campaigners have welcomed a decision to include Wellington in the name of a new parliamentary constituency.  The much-awaited Boundary Commission recommendation over the town’s new ward has been submitted. 

At the time of the last election, Wellington was part of the Taunton Deane constituency. But as part of a routine review which helps to equalise populations across voting areas, Taunton Deane was abolished. 

In its place a new area, with a new name, was to be drawn up - with an organisation known as the Boundary Commission presiding over the rejigging. 

After suggestions that the new constituency would simply be called 'Taunton' - campaigners pushed for Wellington to be included in the name, and for the constituency to be named 'Taunton and Wellington' instead. 

After consideration the Boundary Review have revealed their recommendations to Parliament - which are very likely to be accepted unchanged - and they have named the new constituency 'Taunton and Wellington.' 

The news was welcomed by Rebecca Pow MP who will standing for re-election in the newly formed ward. She said: “The Boundary Commission has announced some minor changes to the Taunton Deane boundaries to make allowances for the growing populations of the urban centres.

“Whilst some treasured places have moved to surrounding constituencies I am especially pleased that the Commission heeded my calls to change the name of the new constituency to Taunton and Wellington - to better reflect the area it represents.

“I received much support for this idea and many people also wrote to the Boundary Commission to support my proposal.

“Taunton is of course the county town of Somerset and Wellington is the other key town in my constituency with its own individual identity and each centre is supported by a rural hinterland of villages and the new constituency name is most fitting.”

Also calling for the inclusion of Wellington in the new name was Ms Pow’s Lib Dem rival, Gideon Amos. Reacting to the news he said: “Having written last year to the Boundary Commission, alongside Wellington Liberal Democrats, to expressly ask for ‘Wellington’ to be included in the new constituency name, we’re really delighted this has now happened. 

“But the truth is the Conservatives’ new law on this reduces flexibility that could have kept our whole local community within the same constituency, which is basically wrong and shouldn’t have been passed even if it does favour the Conservative party. That’s why our MPs spoke out against this in Parliament, and why I also wrote saying that ‘the removal of places such as Runnington, Nynehead, Langford Budville, Milverton, Allerford, the Lydeards, Cotford St Luke and Oake is therefore something I oppose in principle’. 

“Looking forward though, I’m determined that the new name should usher in a new determination to stand up to government for people in Wellington, on things like help with mortgage payments, defending our NHS and providing a bank and post office for the town. “Listening to people in Barn Meads Road yesterday, for example, told me they’ve had enough of Wellington being taken for granted”.  

The new constituency will contain 76,409 eligible voters, and include the towns of Taunton and Wellington, in addition to a number of villages such as Rockwell Green. 

The Tiverton and Honiton constituency, which is represented by Richard Foord MP, is also set to be abolished and be replaced by ‘Tiverton and Minehead.’ The new Tiverton and Minehead constituency will combine areas including Minehead Watchet and Williton with most of the Exmoor National Park and Quantock Hills area. It will contain 70,829 voters in all. Ian Liddell-Grainger MP is set to stand for re-election for the Conservative party in the new seat.