Written evidence submitted by Rt Hon Paul
Murphy MP (PVSCB 21)
I should like to offer the following thoughts
on the Government's proposals on Parliamentary Reform:
1. Having served twice as Secretary of State
for Wales and as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I have,
for over a decade, been intimately involved in constitutional
changes especially with regard to devolution in Wales and Northern
Ireland. During those years, the changes that came about resulted
from many months, indeed years, of negotiation and ending up with
consensus. The Government is currently attempting to rush through
these proposals at the expense of proper scrutiny and with no
attempt at consensus, this is a dangerous way to proceed on such
important issues, the like of which should not be dealt with in
a partisan manner.
2. Consequently, there should have been
pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and an attempt to reach
consensus (which appears to be the case over House of Lords reform).
3. The reduction of MPs (by 50) is unprecedented.
There has only been a 3% increase in MPs since the War, even though
there has been a 25% increase in the electorate. An attempt to
justify this by pointing to a saving of £12 million is risible.
The cutback will lead to a reduction in the quality of Parliamentary
scrutiny of the Executive, especially if it is not accompanied
by a corresponding reduction in the number of Ministers. It will
also impact on the accessibility of MPs for members of the public
and reduce the quality of service MPs are able to offer to constituents.
4. The creation of very large constituencies,
rigidly defined by numbers, will destroy community-based constituencies
since it would appear that, to create such constituencies, local
ties, geography and tradition are likely to be ignored. This will
further distance MPs from their constituents and impact adversely
on the service that can be offered to members of the public. This
is especially alarming in areas such as the south Wales valleys,
where the very landscape necessitates careful consideration regarding
constituency boundaries, with historical north-south communities
in valleys separated by mountains. Until now, MPs have been able
to represent roughly distinct communities, something which these
proposals threaten.
5. The abolition of local public inquiries
into boundary changes is disgraceful. It robs local people of
the opportunity to express their views locally and in person,
with the aim of railroading controversial proposals through more
quickly. This is one of the most devastating attacks on our democracy
that I have known in my political life.
25 August 2010
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