WESTERN ISLES MP WARNS AGAINST ‘SUPER CONSTITUENCIES’

WESTERN ISLES MP WARNS AGAINST ‘SUPER CONSTITUENCIES’

TORY RESPECT AGENDA MUST BEGIN AT BOUNDARIES

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 following the commitment in the Queen’s Speech to “create fewer and more equal sized constituencies”.

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 parcelled into neat population bundles. The geography just doesn't allow it.

“By creating these massive seats, the UK Government risks undermining 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 to the House of Lords.”