Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill

Debate between Pat Glass and Ian Blackford

2nd reading: House of Commons
Friday 18th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass]

Yes, I accept that entirely. One of the really good things about the Bill is that it shines a light on an awful lot of the problems with the current system.

[Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP)]

I am amazed that Government Members are talking just about population and not ascribing any importance to geography. Islands have been mentioned. My constituency of Ross, Skye and Lochaber includes seven inhabited islands. Many of them will end up in the new seat of Argyll, Bute and Lochaber, which would have more than 30 inhabited islands. How is a Member of Parliament supposed to represent people from so many island communities? It is a disgrace.

[Pat Glass]

The proposed system does not take account of people and communities. I hope that we will be able to address that through the Bill.