Warning that Wales could still lose a number of its MPs in boundary shake-up

A planned Westminster boundary revamp could still see Wales lose a number of its MPs, it has been warned.

On Tuesday the UK Government announced it was dropping plans to slash the number of sitting members from 650 to 600 – which would have seen Wales lose 11 of its 40 returnees.

If implemented it would have resulted in north Wales losing four of its current 11 members, with much larger constituencies covering – in some cases – vast geographical areas.

But suggestions that the new boundaries would result in roughly equal sized constituencies across the British Isles has led to fears that Wales may still miss out when the new lines are drawn up.

If ministers press ahead with creating constituencies with a near-equal numbers of voters, it is estimated that this would leave Wales with around 32 seats.

“Any cut in the number of Welsh MPs puts additional pressure on the Senedd, which we already know is severely overstretched at just 60 Members,” said Jess Blair, a Director at the Electoral Reform Society.

“A reduction of this number, which would see Wales lose almost a quarter of its parliamentary representation provides further impetus to increase the number of Members of the Senedd.”

She added, “This is the third iteration of proposed changes to the number of MPs in recent years and we need clarity on what exactly this means for Wales. Boundaries must be based on a proper set of principles such as those registered in the area and the number of people represented by an MP and not just be drawn on a whim.

“If the UK Government genuinely care about ensuring all votes count equally reducing Wales’ voice in Westminster is not the solution. Instead, we need a fair, modern and proportional voting system – ending the travesty of super-safe seats vs the handful of swing constituencies”.

Ynys Mon AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth, added: “When I heard the plans to stop boundary changes were being scrapped I was pleased because of the previous proposal to get rid of the stand-alone Ynys Mon seat.

“Other UK islands were given a particular status under the proposals, and I’d argued we should, too, for good democratic reasons.

“Now we hear they will STILL go ahead an cut the number of MPs in Wales by nearly a quarter – reducing Welsh representation at Westminster and creating additional seats in England.

“It further diminishes Wales’ voice, when we’re already vastly outnumbered.”

In a written statement, Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith said the Government remained committed to creating constituencies with near-equal numbers of voters but that it was “sensible” for there to continue to be 650 MPs.

“This is a change in policy from the position previously legislated for under the coalition government,” she wrote.

“Since that policy was established in the coalition agreement, the United Kingdom has now left the European Union.
“The UK Parliament will have a greater workload now we are taking back control and regaining our political and economic independence.”

She revealed that the Government, as well as bringing forward legislation to block the implementation of the 2018 overhaul, would call for boundary reviews to take place every eight years rather than every five.

It would mean boundaries would be in place for at least two general elections before being reconsidered.

By Gareth Williams – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)