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?
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Fiona Mactaggart
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 20 October 2010.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
516 c1069-70 Session
2010-12Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamberSubjects
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