Implication for Wales of Government's Proposals for Constitutional Reform

The Welsh Affairs Committee decided at its meeting on 27 July to scrutinise the impact of the Government’s proposed legislation on Wales:

• to reduce the size of the House of Commons, and to equalise the size of parliamentary constituencies
• to hold a national referendum on using the alternative vote system at UK general elections on the same day as elections are due to be held to the Welsh Assembly.

The Committee would welcome views in writing on these matters and is keen to hear from the general public as well as academics and other commentators. David Davies MP, the Chair of the Committee, said

"The Government’s proposals for constitutional reform would have a profound impact on how Wales is represented at Westminster. Some commentators have also questioned whether the people of Wales should reasonably be expected to participate in a referendum and an Assembly election on the same day.  The Committee is keen to hear the Government’s case for reducing the number of MPs in Wales and is equally keen to hear from the widest number of people about the merits of the Government’s proposals."

The Committee will be holding a public evidence session in October. Witnesses will be confirmed at a later date.
How to respond
Responses should be submitted as soon as possible, and by Friday 17 September at the latest.
Please send your views by email to;
• welshcom@parliament.uk.
If you do not have access to email, you may send a paper copy of your response to the
• Clerk of the Welsh Affairs Committee
Committee Office
First Floor
7 Millbank
London SW1P 3JA.