Plans to cut the size of the House of Commons by nearly one-tenth will be scrutinised “very fast” in September, Labour MP Graham Allen told Tribune this week. The newly elected Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee, which Mr Allen chairs, is to investigate the fairness of the coalition Government’s controversial plan to redraw MPs’ constituency boundaries and reduce their number from 650 to 600.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the move, a Tory demand in the coalition talks, will equalise constituency sizes. But members of the Shadow Cabinet have attacked the plans as “gerrymandering” that would penalise Labour because of large numbers of unregistered voters in Labour constituencies. The bill expected in September will also legislate for a referendum on using the alternative vote system in general elections.
Mr Allen said: “It’s important that Parliament scrutinises proposed law and we intend to do that on the alternative vote and reduction of MPs. We will be taking evidence from anyone who wishes to send it in, so that the debate on democratic change can be based on objective facts rather than partisan special pleading.
“The issue of fairness is very important and subject to very different interpretations, and the committee will be considering it”. We’re getting out of the blocks very fast to make sure Parliament does consider this despite the very short timetable”. Mr Clegg said last week he expected the boundary review to be completed by 2013, so that the next general election will be fought on the new boundaries.
