TWO MPs could go head to head in a vote to represent a constituency if boundary changes are given the go-ahead.
MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, Peter Lilley and MP for Mid Bedfordshire, Nadine Dorries could stand for the Conservative nomination for the new Mid-Bedfordshire and Harpenden seat after the boundary commission announced it is consulting on changing the boundaries in a bid to reduce the number of serving MPs in England from 650 to 600.
Under the proposals Hitchin would become part of the North Herts seat, which is represented by MP Oliver Heald.
Despite rumours of retirement by the next election Mr Lilley said: “I will be standing at the next election. I have represented Harpenden for 28 years and the area north of Harpenden for 17 years, and I hope to do so for a few more elections.
“I intend to stand despite old boundaries or new boundaries.”
Speaking about going head-to-head with Nadine Dorries he said: “I don’t know about Nadine Dorries but I think it is very unlikely that the changes will come into force as both the Labour and Liberal parties have committed they will not support it and therefore won’t come into force.”
Ms Dorries was unavailable for comment when approached by the Comet.
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