Theresa May facing call for early vote on plans to cut number of MPs from 650 to 600

Theresa May is facing a call for an early vote in the Commons on whether to press ahead with contentious plans to slash the number of MPs from 650 to 600.

The House is due to vote in the autumn on new parliamentary boundaries – based on rule changes introduced by the coalition government in 2011 – reducing the total number of MPs in the chamber by 9 per cent.

But MPs on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) warn that if ministers wait to consult Parliament – and the legislation fails in the Commons – then it would be too late to carry out a fresh review before the next general election.

It would mean that in 2022 the election would be fought on the existing boundaries based on population data that the committee claims is more than 20 years out of date.

“If it moved quickly, it would be possible for the Government to introduce new legislation to allow for a new boundary review and for it to be implemented prior to a 2022 election. However, the window for such a decision is short,” the committee said.

“What is clear is that there are serious problems with using the existing boundaries for a further election in 2022, which appears to be the only likely alternative option given the parliamentary arithmetic.”

“They reflect neither the changes in population since 2000, nor how devolution has further affected the UK’s constitution, especially in respect to Wales.”

Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, who chairs the committee, said: “The time to decide this in principle is now. If the Government waits until the autumn, Parliament will be faced with an invidious choice: either approve the boundaries or hold the next election on boundaries that will be more than 20 years out of date.”

But Mr Jenkin said if that if the Government puts the vote to the Commons now, it would be possible to change the law so new boundaries at 650 seats can be in place before the next elections – scheduled for 2022.

“We therefore recommend that the House of Commons should be given and early opportunity to debate the options for reform and to decide whether or not to continue the current boundary review.”

Last year Labour called for the proposals on the table to be abandoned. Cat Smith, the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said at the time: “It has been clear from the start than the Tories have only been interested in their own political advantage rather than what is in the best interests of the country.”

“They need to drop their unfair, undemocratic plans, as well as ensuring the review is based on the most up-to-date register and that there is appropriate flexibility to take into account community ties and geography.”