There has been some commentary in recent days about the possibility that Westminster may retain 650 MPs due to a potential decision by Lib Dem MPs to withdraw their previous commitment to reducing the number of Constituencies. This has been seen in Cornwall as removal of the threat of a 'Devonwall' constituency.
However accepting that there should be a reduction in the number of MPs - why should they not bear at least some of the necessary reductions in staffing levels seen elsewhere across swathes of the public sector - I wonder if there is an alternative way forward for at least one political party to adopt for their next manifesto.
If it was accepted, nationally, that Cornwall should have a number of exclusive Constituencies - an approach which I support - then there is some logic to suggest that Cornwall's electorate figure should determine the number of MPs across the UK. Based on the latest statistics if Cornwall had 5 MPs then, on a proportionate number of electors per Constituency, there would be 563 MPs; this would represent a 13.5% reduction from the current 650. Adjusting Cornwall's MPs to 4 would reduce the total number to 450, a 30.8% reduction.
