RESPECT AGENDA MUST BEGIN AT BOUNDARIES

RESPECT AGENDA MUST BEGIN AT BOUNDARIES

SUPER CONSTITUENCIES WOULD 'UNDERMINE' DEMOCRACY

SNP MP for the Western Isles and Shadow Scotland Office Spokesman, Angus
MacNeil has called on the Conservative Liberal coalition to respect the
unique geography of many of Scotland's rural and remote constituencies in
any boundary review which takes place as part of their electoral reform
measures expected to be announced in the Queen's Speech.

The Conservative party have advocated creating seats with 77 000
constituents as standard. In parts of Scotland, this would result in
constituencies spread across huge land masses making it very difficult for
constituents to access their MP.

Commenting, Mr MacNeil said:

"Many rural and remote constituencies across Scotland - such as my own in
the Western Isles - cannot be parceled into neat population bundles. The
geography just doesn't allow it.

“By creating these massive seats, the UK Government risks undermines
democratic representation in Scotland for the sake of convenience.

"If David Cameron is serious about his respect agenda and real electoral
reform, then he will drop these ill considered plans for super
constituencies and at the same time ditch his proposals to cut
democratically elected MPs whilst appointing more unelected peers House of
Lords.”