Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Debate between Lord Murphy of Torfaen and Angela Smith

Monday 1st November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Paul Murphy]

I entirely agree with my right hon. Friend. I would not want to come between Sheffield and Rotherham Members, but I understand his point. The Bill is a two-pronged attack on our parliamentary traditions. On the one hand, it reduces the link between a Member of Parliament and his or her constituency and the community that that constituency represents; and on the other, the Government’s policies on Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland threaten the very integrity of the Union.

[Angela Smith]

I should like to put on record the fact that Sheffield would love to absorb Rotherham constituencies. Sheffield’s much greater fear is that it will end up sharing constituencies with Derbyshire or West Yorkshire or, God forbid, even Leeds.

[Paul Murphy]

Again, I would not want to interfere in Yorkshire traditions.