Plan to cut MP numbers 'to be axed'

THE UK Government was today said to be on the verge of shelving controversial legislation on cutting the number of constituencies in a desperate move to ensure it can go ahead with the planned referendum on a new voting system.

The plans to reduce the number of MPs and the legislation paving the way for a May 5 referendum on the Alternative Vote are both part of the same Bill, currently being considered in the House of Lords.

But opposition amendments and longer-than-expected debates mean the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill now risks missing the February 17 deadline for royal assent, which must be met if the referendum is to go ahead.

The only option now seems to be for the Government to abandon the part of the Bill dealing with the number of constituencies so it can press ahead with the referendum legislation.