INITIAL proposals for amending Scottish Parliamentary constituency boundaries published last year included removing Prestonpans from the East Lothian constituency.

This would have split the town from its historic ties with the rest of East Lothian, created local problems and made Prestonpans part of a constituency covering three local authority areas.

This daft suggestion was rightly opposed by the community, East Lothian Council and most political parties. A local inquiry was held and a clear message sent that Prestonpans should remain in the East Lothian constituency.

Revised proposals have now been published and, while Boundaries Scotland has listened to the concerns expressed about Prestonpans, it is now proposing Tranent and Elphinstone be moved instead, an equally unwelcome proposition.

READ MORE: East Lothian name at risk at Holyrood as Tranent set for switch under new proposals

The new constituency into which it is proposed Tranent move would stretch from Portobello and Craigmillar in Edinburgh through Musselburgh, Whitecraig and Wallyford, right to the eastern edge of Tranent.

To make matters worse, the revised proposals also seek to abolish the East Lothian constituency name, risking undermining our area’s identity and cohesion.

I believe the revised plan simply swaps one unwanted and unworkable solution with another and would result in many of the same problems identified with the initial proposals.

Tranent is an integral part of East Lothian. It belongs in an East Lothian constituency. While this would make East Lothian (and it should remain East Lothian) one of the biggest constituencies, the rules do allow for that.

We should not be punished for our growth or because those amending the boundaries need to make their sums add up. East Lothian must remain a distinct constituency and Tranent must remain part of it.