Tories want to cut the number of MPs

Anthony Butcher · 13-12-2004, 02:05 AM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...401695,00.html

Quote:

A PLAN to cut the number of MPs by a fifth in order to help to restore faith in politics is part of a bold package of reforms likely to form part of the Conservative Party’s manifesto at the next election.

The sweeping changes to the House of Commons would result in a cull of more than 100 MPs and annual savings estimated at £25 million.

It would also bring Britain, where MPs represent on average 70,000 voters, in line with other democracies where constituencies commonly exceed 100,000 electors.

The plan to cut the number of MPs from 659 to fewer than 550 is set out in a paper that is being considered as part of a parliamentary reform package for the election campaign.

It would form a cornerstone of the Tory party’s plan for “smaller government”, which would see fewer peers in the House of Lords and substantial cuts in ministerial jobs, government departments and Whitehall staff.

Will our democracy be damaged for the sake of £25 Million?
Will MPs have less contact with the public?
Is this just populist nonsense?
Is it a vote manipulation technique to give the Conservatives a larger percentage of MPs?

Anthony Butcher · 13-12-2004, 02:31 AM

A revealing little quote in that article:

Quote:

“Reducing the size of the Commons will be popular. It will be logical. It will save money. But any such proposal will meet the obstacle of party and personal interest. No rational party rushes to weaken its electoral position nor do MPs rush to end their careers prematurely.”

It says a lot about Conservative MPs - they admit that they put themselves ahead of the country, and that they don't regard their positions as a temporary loan of responsibility from the public, but a "career".

At least we know that this isn't the case in UKIP because our MEPs would want to eradicate their own jobs asap. Oh, and we don't have any MPs in the first place!

mkpdavies · 13-12-2004, 11:36 AM

It is true we are getting some real admissions of guilt here. However, while I wouldn't want to make promises. I certainly think a review is in order to see if we need so many MP's. If we push more powers down to local level, and have referendums on major issues, would we actualy need as many MP's?

C_steam · 13-12-2004, 12:10 PM

I've mentioned this elsewhere. You can't or shouldn't reduce the number of MP's because the number is percieved to be big.

What is the right number? 650? 550? Who Knows?

What is the total size of the job? No-one knows.

Without a strong logic and supporting data then any revision of numbers is a meaningless activity, and our democracy may suffer.

13-12-2004, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,832 Party: Libertarian Party	It is true we are getting some real admissions of guilt here. However, while I wouldn't want to make promises. I certainly think a review is in order to see if we need so many MP's. If we push more powers down to local level, and have referendums on major issues, would we actualy need as many MP's? __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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13-12-2004, 12:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,704	I've mentioned this elsewhere. You can't or shouldn't reduce the number of MP's because the number is percieved to be big. What is the right number? 650? 550? Who Knows? What is the total size of the job? No-one knows. Without a strong logic and supporting data then any revision of numbers is a meaningless activity, and our democracy may suffer.