Wales is ‘overrepresented’ at Westminster, says Tory Senedd candidate

A Tory Senedd candidate has claimed that Wales is “overrepresented” in Westminster.

Calum Davies, who will be contesting Cardiff Central, at the next election made the comments in the wake of the news that Wales is to lose eight MPs in the next boundary review, which would take the number from 40 to 32.

There are 650 MPs in the House of Commons in total, and of those, England has 533. Grassroots pro-independence group YesCymru has argued that this means Wales has little influence over the laws that are made there.

YesCymru said: “This isn’t balance. This is a con. Wales has no voice in the ‘United’ Kingdom. Time for change.”

But Calum Davies responded: “This is based on population like other Western legislatures – what’s the alternative? Wales actually overrepresented per million.

“Wales has own powers over vast areas of policy where below has zero effect. Let’s stop Wales v England – we’re not opponents but one UK.”

Mr Davies added: “With the news of the number of Welsh MPs being reduced and YesCymru thinking they’re making a legit point, just wanted to share this again after they tried making the same terrible argument a couple of months back.”

‘Argument’ 

The Government’s Parliamentary Constituencies Act, which will reduce the number of Welsh MPs, recently received Royal Assent and therefore has gone on the statue book.

It means the geographical boundaries of constituencies will be redrawn based on population size.

Despite Wales losing 20 per cent of its representatives the number of MPs across the UK will stay the same, at 650.

YesCymru reacted to the news by saying: “And so Wales’ voice in Westminster is diminished to the point of inconsequence.

“The lie that there’s any form of parity amongst the Nations of these islands is finally put to bed.”

Plaid Cymru said that “Wales will lose out more than any other nation in the UK as a result of this law – with our voice and representation diminished. Westminster just isn’t working for Wales.”

The Boundary Commissions for Wales will begin drawing up the new constituency sizes starting in January 2021.

This will take into account five protected constituencies which must remain as they are out of geographical necessity – including Ynys Môn.

The Commission must present its final report to the Speaker of the House of Commons by 1 July 2023.