Lib Dems shun deal over boundaries

There is “no prospect” of the Liberal Democrats backing boundary change reforms in exchange for extra state funding, a Cabinet minister has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Oct 2012, 07:00 BST

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore insisted Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had made clear that the party would not take part in “any kind of deal like that”.

It comes after Conservative Party co-chairman Grant Shapps said the Tories had not given up hope of securing constituency changes which could boost their chances of victory in the next election.

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Although Mr Shapps told the BBC yesterday that he was not in talks to secure Lib Dem support in return for party funding reforms, the Financial Times quotes an unnamed minister claiming “there is a plot” to do a deal with the cash-strapped junior coalition party.

Mr Moore said: “I think that Nick Clegg and others have already made clear there is no prospect of any kind of deal like that.”

Re-drawn boundaries would reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in a House of Commons.

Experts have predicted the Conservative Party would gain up to 20 seats as a result.

Related topics:Grant ShappsLib DemsConservative PartyBBC