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Lib Dem push for fewer Welsh MPs Lib Dem push for fewer Welsh MPs
(about 2 hours later)
The Liberal Democrats want a 30% cut in the number of Welsh MPs, bigger than they plan for anywhere else in the UK.The Liberal Democrats want a 30% cut in the number of Welsh MPs, bigger than they plan for anywhere else in the UK.
Their amendment to legislation going through Parliament would reduce Welsh MPs from the current 40 to 28, creating eight multi-member constituencies.Their amendment to legislation going through Parliament would reduce Welsh MPs from the current 40 to 28, creating eight multi-member constituencies.
Northern Ireland would lose 28% of its MPs, England 20% and Scotland 14%.Northern Ireland would lose 28% of its MPs, England 20% and Scotland 14%.
Plaid Cymru said the plans threatened Welsh political representation, as they made no reference to the Welsh assembly acquiring more powers.Plaid Cymru said the plans threatened Welsh political representation, as they made no reference to the Welsh assembly acquiring more powers.
The Liberal Democrat amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill would base the eight new constituencies on the old county council boundaries, with the 28 MPs elected through proportional representation.The Liberal Democrat amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill would base the eight new constituencies on the old county council boundaries, with the 28 MPs elected through proportional representation.
Plaid Cymru said the proposals gave "a revealing indication of the Lib Dem's distorted priorities and the lack of communication within the party".Plaid Cymru said the proposals gave "a revealing indication of the Lib Dem's distorted priorities and the lack of communication within the party".
Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said his party was "prepared to see lower representation here as long as powers are transferred as well".Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said his party was "prepared to see lower representation here as long as powers are transferred as well".
"Interestingly, no Welsh Lib Dem has yet supported this... (and) no connection has been made with the call for greater powers for the national assembly - supposedly a key manifesto pledge for the Lib Dems," he said."Interestingly, no Welsh Lib Dem has yet supported this... (and) no connection has been made with the call for greater powers for the national assembly - supposedly a key manifesto pledge for the Lib Dems," he said.
"The Lib Dems are clearly following Tory lines of cutting Welsh representation and have gone further by announcing the specifics of where they would cut."The Lib Dems are clearly following Tory lines of cutting Welsh representation and have gone further by announcing the specifics of where they would cut.
"Ultimately, the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster and are giving mixed signals to voters in Wales and England," Mr Williams added."Ultimately, the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster and are giving mixed signals to voters in Wales and England," Mr Williams added.
'Powerful voice''Powerful voice'
The Conservatives have previously said they believe there is a "strong case" for reducing the overall number of MPs in the UK.The Conservatives have previously said they believe there is a "strong case" for reducing the overall number of MPs in the UK.
Last November the party said it would ask the Boundary Commission to propose which seats should go but would ensure "Wales continues to have a powerful voice in the House of Commons".Last November the party said it would ask the Boundary Commission to propose which seats should go but would ensure "Wales continues to have a powerful voice in the House of Commons".
Responding to the criticism of the Liberal Democrat amendment, the party's Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams said it would "explicitly allow the Boundary Commission to increase the number of seats allotted to Wales if this was appropriate, and the amendment is intended to set out our initial plans on where to distribute seats across the UK".Responding to the criticism of the Liberal Democrat amendment, the party's Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams said it would "explicitly allow the Boundary Commission to increase the number of seats allotted to Wales if this was appropriate, and the amendment is intended to set out our initial plans on where to distribute seats across the UK".
"The Bill is at an early stage, and we will clearly be looking to achieve a settlement that gives Wales the best possible voice in Westminster," he insisted. "The bill is at an early stage, and we will clearly be looking to achieve a settlement that gives Wales the best possible voice in Westminster," he insisted.
"We have sat down as a party and worked out what we think is a fair distribution of seats across the UK, but if anyone disagrees then they should take part in the Parliamentary debate on this matter."We have sat down as a party and worked out what we think is a fair distribution of seats across the UK, but if anyone disagrees then they should take part in the Parliamentary debate on this matter.
"The Liberal Democrats want to see a Welsh assembly with full legislative powers, and these proposals should be viewed as a step closer to a Wales that doesn't have to go cap in hand to Westminster.""The Liberal Democrats want to see a Welsh assembly with full legislative powers, and these proposals should be viewed as a step closer to a Wales that doesn't have to go cap in hand to Westminster."
Posting a comment on the blog of BBC Wales Parliamentary Correspondent David Cornock, Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black warned: "If we had a multi-member constituency in Powys with two MPs elected on STV (single transferable vote) then one is likely to be a Tory."Posting a comment on the blog of BBC Wales Parliamentary Correspondent David Cornock, Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black warned: "If we had a multi-member constituency in Powys with two MPs elected on STV (single transferable vote) then one is likely to be a Tory."