David Davis' seat may stay as Nick Clegg rounds on MP boundary changes
DOUBTS have been raised over a proposed shake-up of parliamentary constituencies across East Yorkshire.
Possible changes outlined by the Boundary Commission last September included further extending Alan Johnson's Hull West and Hessle seat into the East Riding, taking in villages such as Swanland, Kirk Ella and Willerby.
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TORY AIM: It is thought boundary changes would benefit the Conservatives most.
The proposals also suggested Karl Turner's Hull East seat should include Preston and Hedon.
The commission also put forward the idea of abolishing David Davis' Haltemprice and Howden constituency , creating a new-look seat stretching along the coast from Bridlington to Withernsea.
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But yesterday Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg lobbed a potential grenade into the debate by announcing his party would not vote with the Government when the proposals come before Parliament.
Mr Clegg said his decision to ditch support for the boundary changes had been triggered by continuing Conservative opposition to reforms to the House of Lords, which have been a key Lib Dem policy demand for decades.
He said "part of the contract" with the Tories as coalition partners had been broken over the issue.
"Coalition works on mutual respect; it is a reciprocal arrangement, a two-way street.
"So I have told the Prime Minister that when, in due course, Parliament votes on boundary changes, I will be instructing my party to oppose them.
"When part of a contract is broken, it is normal to amend that contract in order then to move on."
The changes were expected to be approved by the Government in time for the next General Election expected in 2015.
It had been thought most of the proposed changes aimed at reducing the overall number of MPs would benefit the Conservatives.
Mr Turner, who spoke against the proposed boundary changes at a public hearing last year, went on Twitter to denounce the Lib Dem leader.
He tweeted: "Clegg will oppose boundary changes. Not going to help Lib Dems in 2015. They're finished."
The Hull East MP later tweeted: "It's the Tories that will suffer. The Tories need boundary changes to wipe out 40 Labour MPs."
Hull North MP Diana Johnson also attacked Mr Clegg.
Her constituency was also scheduled to see minor changes to its boundary under the proposals.
She said: "It's a disgrace that we are seeing important issues for our democracy such as reform to the Lords and the Commons being determined by grubby horse- trading within the coalition to keep Lib Dems in office, rather than the merits of the issues and the best interests of the country.
"The coalition agreement linked last year's alternative voting referendum to the issue of boundary changes and cutting the number of MPs. There was no link to Lords reform Nick Clegg is making now."
Comments
by bewildered1
Tuesday, August 07 2012, 4:05PM
“I agree with local representation, I live in Hessle and have no wish to be represented by someone who has always lived in London and was parachuted into the constituency. He visits once a month though, I think his wife comes with him now.”
by Chip_Buttie
Tuesday, August 07 2012, 3:51PM
“Ha ha Tit-for-Tat politics! Why let the good of the Nation get in the way???”
by David_Nivea
Tuesday, August 07 2012, 1:23PM
“How about reducing the number of MP's by at least 50%?
@21st_century: A potential seat of Hull east including Hedon would not be dissimilar to the currently extant Hull west & Hessle {what do the residents of the leafy suburb to west have in common with the scvmbag-ridden, dumping ground estates off Freetown Way for example?]
MP's most certainly would have an interest in what happens in the countryside if their £65k a year + generous expenses lifestyle depended on it. Also, people in affluent suburbs are more likely to vote than the drug-addled, offspring-rich, inner-city benefit harvesters, so it could be to your advantage.”
by 21st_century
Tuesday, August 07 2012, 9:37AM
“I for one am quite happy if these political boundary changes do not go ahead. Living in Hedon, I do not want to be represented by somebody that is from the City. He/She will have no interest in what occurs out in the countryside. I know Hedon isn't completely out in the sticks, but it is far away from the city to be different.”