Analysis: Electoral Reform Society research highlights danger of slashing number of backbenchers in 600-member Commons.
- For immediate release, Tuesday 27th February, 2018
- Statement from the Electoral Reform Society. Chief Executive Darren Hughes is available for interview. For more information, contact mediaoffice@electoral-reform.org.uk or 07870212425
Slashing the number of MPs could result in an ’unprecedented power-grab’ by the government, campaigners have warned.
The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) has found that if membership of the Commons is reduced from 650 to 600 as confirmed by the Prime Minister [1], a record-high 23% of MPs (139 of 600) would be on the government payroll [2] – unless there is a guaranteed cap on the size of the executive.
Taking into account cabinet members, junior ministers, Parliamentary Private Secretaries and Conservative whips, the change would mean nearly one in four MPs would be compelled to vote with the government or face losing their job.
The number of governing-party backbenchers would be reduced to the lowest levels on record – nearly half (45%) of Conservative MPs would be bound to vote with the government.
The cut in the number of MPs has therefore been deemed a cut in the power of backbenchers – limiting the ability of MPs to hold the government to account and freely scrutinise legislation.
These concerns – alongside broader flaws in the boundary review [3] – have led the ERS to call for the current plan to be dropped.
Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said:
“This analysis shows that cutting the number of MPs poses significant dangers to our democracy – namely the ability of backbenchers to hold the government to account.
“Without effective limits and changes to the plans, these proposals represent an unprecedented power-grab by the executive.
“There must be guaranteed checks and balances on the power of the government. That role is best fulfilled by backbench MPs – both from the government’s own benches and from those opposite.
“If we are left with the most powerful executive in living history, we could end up with a crisis of scrutiny – and all of us will lose out as a result.
“We need MPs to be free to prioritise the interests of their constituents ahead of towing the party line. But cutting MPs without capping the size of the executive means the proportion in the pocket of the Prime Minister will be at record levels.
“To sustain an effective democracy, the government must cancel this needless attack on our elected chamber and focus on reforming the bloated, unelected House of Lords instead.
“It’s time for fair boundaries based on a properly resourced Commons – and for a much-smaller, elected second chamber.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The analysis by the ERS assumes the proportion of MPs from each party remaining the same as they are currently, but in a smaller chamber, and goes back as far as 1910.
A further consequence of a reduced chamber would be the joint-fewest government backbenchers as a proportion of the party’s MPs in living history (just 55%.)
This would reduce the talent pool from which MPs are selected to sit on parliamentary committees, while also affecting the candor of debates.
[1] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-to-press-on-as-mps-warn-against-cutting-their-number-0h0vmscns
[2] Full data from our analysis can be found in the table below.
[3] ERS’s concerns over the boundary review are set out here – https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/media-centre/press-releases/campaigners-condemn-dangerous-u-turn-as-may-ploughs-ahead-with-cut-in-mps/
Full data
| Year |
Number of MPs |
Governing Party(ies) MPs |
Total number of MPs forming part of the government |
Payroll vote as % of the Commons |
Payroll Vote % of Governing Party(ies) |
| 2017 results with 600 MPs |
600
|
307
|
139
|
23%
|
45%
|
|
2018
|
650
|
316
|
139
|
21%
|
44%
|
|
2016
|
650
|
328
|
138
|
21%
|
42%
|
|
2015
|
650
|
330
|
135
|
21%
|
41%
|
|
2012
|
650
|
363
|
138
|
21%
|
38%
|
|
2010
|
650
|
363
|
140
|
22%
|
39%
|
|
2005
|
646
|
355
|
158
|
21%
|
45%
|
|
2001
|
659
|
412
|
169
|
22%
|
41%
|
|
2000
|
659
|
418
|
129
|
20%
|
31%
|
|
1997
|
659
|
418
|
157
|
20%
|
38%
|
|
1992
|
651
|
336
|
148
|
19%
|
44%
|
|
1990
|
650
|
376
|
127
|
20%
|
34%
|
|
1987
|
650
|
376
|
144
|
19%
|
38%
|
|
1983
|
650
|
397
|
143
|
19%
|
36%
|
|
1980
|
635
|
339
|
123
|
19%
|
36%
|
|
1979
|
635
|
339
|
142
|
19%
|
42%
|
|
1970
|
630
|
330
|
115
|
18%
|
35%
|
|
1960
|
630
|
365
|
101
|
16%
|
28%
|
|
1950
|
625
|
315
|
95
|
15%
|
30%
|
|
1940
|
615
|
Wartime gov’t |
83
|
13%
|
N/A |
|
1930
|
615
|
287
|
76
|
12%
|
26%
|
|
1920
|
707
|
473
|
71
|
10%
|
15%
|
|
1917
|
670
|
Wartime gov’t |
72
|
11%
|
N/A |
|
1910
|
670
|
274
|
59
|
9%
|
22%
|