The WPP is reborn (next Wednesday)
I bring you news of (yet) another historic day in Welsh politics. The is to hold its first meeting this century.
Ann Clwyd, the longest-serving Welsh MP, has convened a meeting of the WPP for Wednesday, November 3.
This will be the WPP's first meeting since 1996. Paul Flynn has a detailed account of its history . Its last chairman was Allan Rogers and its secretary Ieuan Wyn Jones. Neither remains a member of Parliament.
The reason for its resurrection is anger among opposition MPs at Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition plans to cull one quarter of the 40 Welsh MPs. The equalisation of parliamentary constituencies will disproportionately affect Wales where, for historic and geographic reasons, constituencies tend to contain fewer voters than English seats.
The Conservatives have promised to hold more meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee, the main forum for Welsh MPs at Westminster.
But in government, the Tories are refusing to hold a meeting of the Welsh Grand on the number of Welsh MPs. Deprived of that forum, Labour and Plaid Cymru MPs are pushing for the WPP to be used to voice their views.
The former Cabinet Minister Alun Michael has also secured a debate in Westminster Hall, next Tuesday, to highlight the issue.
It's fair to say that "Save our MPs" has yet to rouse the public onto the streets but there is genuine anger among MPs who fear the redrawing of the boundaries will confuse voters and leave them short-changed.
Hello. I'm David Cornock and I'm parliamentary correspondent for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales. This is the blog for the latest news and gossip from the Westminster village - with a Welsh accent.
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