THE Boundary Commission has been accused of "gerrymandering" through East Lothian’s biggest town under plans to split the community in half.

Proposals to move half of Musselburgh’s residents into a new Edinburgh East constituency ward for future UK Parliament elections sparked fury from local councillors at a meeting this week.

One accused the commission of playing the Hokey Cokey with the town, which would, under the new plans, be split in three different ways for each of the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and East Lothian Council elections.

An additional plan to rename the remainder of the East Lothian constituency East Lothian Coast was ridiculed by councillors, who pointed out that many of the county’s communities were “landlocked” and nowhere near the coast.

The proposals from the Boundary Commission came after the number of voters in East Lothian’s Westminster constituency rose above the threshold it has set of being within five percent of 73,392 voters.

The current electorate in East Lothian lies at 82,479 and the commission proposed to move people living in the west of Musselburgh into a new Edinburgh East constituency, leaving the east of the town in the newly named East Lothian Coast constituency.

Voters in the west of Musselburgh would then vote as part of the Musselburgh ward in East Lothian Council elections, as part of the Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency for Scottish Parliament elections, and as part of the Edinburgh East constituency for UK Parliament elections.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday, Musselburgh ward councillor Andy Forrest condemned the move, which would see the town split by the River Esk which runs through the middle of it.

He said: “It is like they are gerrymandering through Musselburgh trying to divide us up.

"Confusion over these plans has already started, with people asking me where they have to go to get licences – Edinburgh or East Lothian.”

Fellow ward councillor Stuart Currie raised concern that voter confusion would set in with the town split, leading to poor turnout at elections.

He said: “Musselburgh has already played the Hokey Cokey, in and out.

"My biggest concern is voter confusion will have an impact on turnout.”

Councillor Katie Mackie, fellow Musselburgh ward member, said: “It is absolutely clear we are victims of a number game.

“Musselburgh is a separate town and has a strong identity, I would not want it to be a part of Greater Edinburgh. I think Musselburgh deserves better.”

Under the changes proposed by the Boundary Commission, Musselburgh Racecourse would remain in East Lothian Coast but historic Fisherrow and the harbour would be moved to Edinburgh East.

Councillors unanimously supported a submission to the Boundary Commission not to split the town up, adding that if it did go ahead, Musselburgh should be recognised in the name of the new constituency.

And they rejected the suggestion of a new East Lothian Coast title for the smaller ward, describing it as unjustifiable.

Musselburgh councillor John Williamson told the virtual meeting of the council that he was not optimistic the commission would change its proposals.

But the SNP councillor added: “I am hopeful Westminster elections will not be something we have to worry about in the future.”