ONE must sympathise with the difficult position that a member of Parliament, whose constituency is part urban but mostly rural, must find themselves in.

Particularly when a contentious issue arises, such as the proposed building of an incinerator in the urban sector. This was the position that the MP for South West Devon, Gary Streeter, pictured, found himself in. However, Mr Streeter quickly aligned himself with the rural majority, to the disappointment of his urban constituents in Plympton and Plymstock. I feel this brings into question the logic of the Boundary Commission in coupling rural and urban areas to form a constituency.

I feel it has never been explained why two areas of the city of Plymouth became part of a mainly rural area at the formation of Mr Streeter's constituency. This has left some political cynics to suggest that the Boundary Commission is not entirely independent, and can be pressurised by political parties and hopeful candidates. Was this the case with regard to the South West Devon constituency?

Plympton and Plymstock are part of the City of Plymouth and should be included in one of the city's constituencies.

ALF CULLICOTT

Plympton