Government blasted over reform 'rush'

THE Government has been accused of rushing ahead with a Bill to slash the number of MPs and hold a referendum over voting reforms without giving parliament enough time to examine it.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Aug 2010, 12:35 BST

Updated 3rd Aug 2010, 12:35 BST

Pressing ahead with the Bill – along with measures to introduce fixed-term parliaments – "denied us an adequate opportunity to scrutinise" the proposals, according to the newly formed Political and Constitutional Reform Committee.

The flagship Bill – which provides for a referendum on the alternative vote (AV), reduces the number of MPs to 600 and will ensure parliamentary constituencies are more equal in size – was published on July 22, two sitting days before MPs broke up for the summer recess, and is due to have its second reading on September 6, the day MPs come back.

The coalition Government is already facing a rebellion from Tory backbenchers angry that the referendum is being proposed for the same day as local and Scottish elections next May, while Labour will also oppose it.

Shadow Justice Secretary Jack Straw claimed Nick Clegg's

pre-election commitment to increased openness had been shown to be "just empty rhetoric".