Changing boundaries

THE Boundary Commission publishes its provisional recommendations soon for the redrawing of constituency boundaries — the deferred, sixth such periodic review — one that Labour and the Lib-Dems stopped in 2013. It will mean that the Commons will have 600 rather than 650 MPs, a measure intended to reduce the cost of politics and ensure boundaries fairly represent population.

This is going to be painful in London, where almost all 73 MPs face selection battles. According to the elections expert and Tory peer Rob Hayward more than 60 seats will change shape, with sitting MPs pitted against their neighbours. It’s unclear whether Labour’s dominance of inner London will change with redrawn boundaries but what is already apparent is that the contests will be a further expression of the splits within the Labour Party. Change had to happen but it’ll come at a cost.