IT IS rare that a government defeat may be good news for South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Stephen Metcalfe but that may be the case with Monday nights vote on boundary changes.
The government lost by 334 to 292.
If the changes had gone through, Mr Metcalfe could have seen him lose Orsett, Horndon and Bulphan from his constituency and gain areas of Pitsea and Vange.
Orsett, Horndon and Bulphan would have been absorbed into the Brentwood and Ongar constituency of Eric Pickles.
Mr Metcalfe won the seat from Angela Smith in May 2010 with a majority of 5,772.
