THE TELEGRAPH: Sweeping reforms to parliamentary constituencies will be introduced alongside moves to change the voting system, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced today.
Previously the Government had mooted increasing the threshold from a simple majority to 55 per cent of MPs, Mr Clegg said.
The announcement will further antagonise opponents of the change - including Tory backbencher David Davis - who claim Parliament's ability to throw out a failing government is being compromised.
Mr Clegg also set out plans for the House of Commons to be reduced from 650 to 600 MPs after a review of boundaries, saving £12 million a year.
The Government's proposed boundary review, equalising the size of all but two constituencies, would be in place in time for its planned 2015 general election, he said.
Mr Clegg also confirmed that a referendum on replacing first-past-the-post Westminster elections with the Alternative Vote (AV) will be held on May 5 next year. >>> | Monday, July 05, 2010
