Express & Star

Parliamentary boundary changes: West Midlands MPs question lack of cuts to the Lords

West Midlands MPs have hit out at proposed changes to constituency boundaries, with some questioning why the Commons is being scaled down at a time when the House of Lords is facing no reductions.

Published

.

The plans will see the number of MPs in the UK fall from 650 to 600.

John Spellar, who will see a much changed version of his Warley constituency under the plans, said: "In general terms this is absolutely appalling. The House of Lords is seeing no fewer numbers when as MPs we represent more people. More work will come our way as a result of the European Parliament posts going.

  • Click here to see the full list of new West Midlands constituencies

"I find the whole idea quite undemocratic. I understand that a changing population means that boundaries have to change, but this is an example of David Cameron pulling a fast one and discrediting the election process." His view were echoed by Adrian Bailey, whose West Bromwich West seat could disappear under the plans. He added: "It is disappointing that we are losing seats at a time when the growing work burden means we need more MPs rather than fewer." Walsall is set to lose David Winnick's Walsall South seat. Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall North, which will be incorporated into Walsall Central, said: "I don't agree with boundary changes and it is wrong to reduce the number of MPs.

"A drop of 50 is clearly unacceptable and I don't think the decision is based on proper evidence. If we are going to have constituency changes then it needs to affect the House of Lords as well." Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, said: "The changes in my constituency largely maintain the integrity of the seat. It has not been chopped up into pieces the way previous proposals suggested."

Rosie Winterton, Labour's chief whip, has accused the Tories of 'gerrymandering' the electoral system because Labour is expected to lose up to 30 of the 50 seats that are being abolished. The Tories may lose fewer than 15, according to estimates.

Ian Austin, whose Dudley North will be split under the proposals, said the plans looked like an attempt to make 'political gain' by the Tories. The changes will also see an overlap between some constituencies currently in the Black Country and Birmingham.

This include the formation of a new Halesowen and Selly Oak ward, while parts of Walsall and Sandwell will be incorporated into Birmingham constituencies' Erdington and Edgbaston.

In Staffordshire Bill Cash's Stone seat will disappear under the proposals, with most of it being taken in by West Staffordshire.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.