The plan to have two MPs to represent the Isle of Wight could now be in question.
Following the lack of support from the Conservative part of the Government coalition for the reform of the House of Lords, Nick Clegg has just announced that the Liberal Democrats are withdrawing their support for the boundary reform.
Without the support of the Lib Dems, it’s highly unlikely that the proposed election boundaries would be voted through.
Under-represented on the Island
The Isle of Wight is the most under-represented area in the UK – that translates to the votes of Islanders being worth less that other areas, as only one MP represented the 140,000 people that live here. By having two MPs there would be two as many MPs representing the views of Islanders in the House of Commons.
It’s generally thought that by rewriting the election boundaries, the Conservatives would have stood a better chance of getting re-elected.
MPs cannot “pick and choose”
The Lib Dem leader warned David Cameron’s MPs that they cannot “pick and choose” which items of Government policy they support.
In a statement, Nick Clegg said, “My party has held to that [Coalition] contract even when it meant voting for things that we found difficult.
“The Liberal Democrats are proving ourselves to be a mature and competent party of Government and I am proud that we have met our obligations.
“But the Conservative party is not honouring the commitment to Lords reform and, as a result, part of our contract has now been broken.”
Reform a mistake says Turner
Current MP for the Island, Andrew Turner, indicated that he wouldn’t support reform in the House Of Lords in the current proposal.
Thanks to Retired Hack for pointing this out.
Source: Telegraph
Image: Cabinet Office under Creative Commons
