UK Parliament / Open data

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

I share the hon. Lady's concern about democracy. I am the only Labour Member of Parliament in Berkshire and I have substantially more constituents than any other Berkshire Member, so I cannot be accused of special pleading. However, if the ambition is to get equal-sized constituencies—I share the hon. Lady's belief in that principle—would not it better to do it in a way that respects local communities, and to do it slowly, over time, thereby producing the number? I suppose the Conservative party would normally describe that as ““evolving.”” Would not that be preferable to—to borrow a phrase from my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt)—the Cromwellian hatchet that cutting 50 seats constitutes?

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

516 c1069-70 

Session

2010-12

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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