A SOUTH Lakeland councillor has suggested the proposed realignment of voting boundaries in Cumbria could be seen as a 'Donald Trump-style power grab' by the Conservatives to dissipate the only seat it does not currently hold in the county.

Liberal Democrat Will Clark said the new boundaries had been 'poorly thought out' and would have a 'detrimental impact on the Lakes parish'.

"It just seems they are trying to carve up Westmorland and Lonsdale to try and suit the Conservative figures," he said.

The suggested rejig of borders would see Grasmere and Ambleside, currently in Westmorland and Lonsdale, become part of a 'Copeland and the Western Lakes' constituency.

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) says the aim of the national shake-up of constituency boundaries is to ensure the number of electors in each area is more equal.

Simon Fell, Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness, dismissed Cllr Clark's claims.

Mr Fell said: "I'd gently point out that the Boundary Commission is an independent body and that the only thing that reminds me about Donald Trump about this whole affair is an elected official complaining about a process because they don't like the proposed outcome."

Cllr Clark also said consideration needed to be given to ongoing proposals for the creation of a unitary authority incorporating south Cumbria.

He said: "Grasmere south of the A591 is included in the Morecambe Bay health trust and potentially the Morecambe Bay unitary authority and, for this reason, the chosen parliamentary boundary should align with this.

"It would be incredibly difficult to have any influence over the health and local political system if the future MP is much more invested in another."