Plans to slash the number of MPs from 650 to 600 are set to be SCRAPPED in the latest Tory manifesto U-turn

  • Plans to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600 were first passed in 2011 
  • But they were delayed by the coalition and now appear set to be axed outright 
  • Before the changes can be implemented a vote in Parliament must be passed
  • Tory whips do not believe it is possible to get the vote through the Commons  

By TIM SCULTHORPE, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Plans to slash the number of MPs from 650 to 600 are set to be scrapped, it was claimed today.

The Boundary Commission is working on a redraft of Commons constituencies based on the smaller Parliament but the changes are politically explosive. 

Cutting seats will pit sitting MPs against each other for the right to keep their seats and Tory whips believe it is too difficult while pushing through Brexit legislation. 

Labour also opposes the changes, as do the Democratic Unionist Party - Theresa May's Northern Ireland allies.  

Plans to slash the number of MPs (pictured during Theresa May's first PMQs) from 650 to 600 are set to be scrapped, it was claimed today

Plans to slash the number of MPs (pictured during Theresa May's first PMQs) from 650 to 600 are set to be scrapped, it was claimed today

Multiple sources told The Times the proposals, which have already been delayed once by a row during the coalition years, were set for the axe.

Downing Street insisted the Boundary Commission's review, due to be published next month, would be brought forward in due course. 

Fully abandoning the proposals would need legislation to scrap the Tory-Lib Dem laws passed in 2011 paving the way for the smaller Commons.

Getting rid of 50 MPs would save around £10million a year in salary and expenses. Scrapping the existing boundary review work would also cost £50million, however. 

But there would be clashes across the country as seats were merged.

One case is likely to be Priti Patel and John Whittingdale whose Essex seats would likely be combined. 

Cutting seats will pit sitting MPs against each other for the right to keep their seats. One case is likely to be Priti Patel and John Whittingdale whose Essex seats would likely face merger 

A source told The Times: 'The plan to reduce the Commons to 600 was a colossal liability which could only have been simply implemented if they had got a 100-plus seat majority in June, which they did not.' 

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The independent Boundary Commissions are continuing the process set out in the Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Act 2011 to bring forward proposals for a fairer House of Commons based on 600 equally sized seats, and these will be brought forward to Parliament in due course under the provisions of the Act.' 

Mrs May has already dropped plans to push through social care funding changes dubbed the 'dementia tax', and an expansion of grammar schools, since the general election. 

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