Constituency change for Linlithgow is branded bizarre and confusing

A “bizarre” change to the electoral boundaries that would see the historic county town of Linlithgow removed from West Lothian is facing opposition from angry local politicians.

- by Stuart Sommerville

Boundaries Scotland has recommended welding the town into a new Falkirk East and Linlithgow constituency for the upcoming Holyrood elections - similar to the former Westminster constituency. The proposed move was branded a “bizarre numbers game” by one veteran councillor. Another warned the move would confuse people and put them off voting.

If agreed by MSPs, the plan will split West Lothian into three constituencies for the 2026 Holyrood election for the first time since the foundation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

West Lothian's SNP MSPs have been urged not to support the boundary changes when the proposals come before them this month. Other options, including one moving Whitburn and Fauldhouse into a constituency centred on Airdrie, 14 miles to the west, have already been rejected after public consultation.