LAST week the Herald published a small and innocuous article, tucked away at the bottom of page three, with the heading 'Response due on Wantage-Didcot name change plan'.

The headline did not quite give the full detail and nor, more unfortunately, did the opening paragraph: "A response to an application to rename Wantage-Didcot is set to be published in the next three months."

Even more unfortunately, I was quoted in the article.

As a result, all hell has broken loose. People have got it into their heads that I wish to change the name of the ancient town of Wantage to, um, Didcot. This has provoked outraged comment, fierce insults, and even an on-line petition which, at the time of writing, has attracted almost 1,000 signatures – and it’s not even April 1.

Taking the title and opening paragraph of this article alone, such a response would be entirely justified. The idea of renaming Wantage as Didcot, or indeed Didcot as Wantage, would be nonsensical, barmy and insane. However, I would like to take this opportunity to definitively assure readers that such a change has never been considered. Didcot and Wantage are two entirely wonderful, but separate, towns with their own distinct identities – including names – and this will most certainly continue indefinitely.

What is being proposed, as the rest of the article makes clear, is changing the name of the Parliamentary constituency from 'Wantage' to 'Didcot and Wantage' as part of a UK-wide boundary review by the Boundary Commission for England. This review is examining the boundaries of existing constituencies and will make recommendations for any changes that might be needed to make sure constituencies comply with legal requirements.

Parliament has specified that the 2018 review must reduce the number of UK constituencies from 650 to 600 and, subsequently, parliamentary boundaries will be amended and some constituencies may be renamed to reflect their revised geographic area. The commission intends to publish its revised proposals this autumn and this will be followed by an eight-week public consultation period.

Recognising the size of these two towns in the local area, I think it is right that both Didcot and Wantage are included in the constituency title. I personally have referred to myself as the ‘MP for Wantage and Didcot’ since 2005 and not a single person has ever complained.

Of course, this furore has prompted some whimsical thoughts. Perhaps the constituency could be renamed Wantcot. Or Diddage. And let’s not forget Grove, Wallingford and Faringdon. Is there a name that could incorporate all five places?

Answers on a postcard please.