Lib Dems ‘double-crossing’ Tory partners on boundary changes

THE two coalition parties are set for a showdown in the Commons after the House of Lords threw out a government bill to change constituency boundaries and cut the number of MPs by 50.

The changes had been part of the coalition agreement between the Tories and Liberal Democrats. But last night, Lib Dem peers joined Labour to vote for an amendment to the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill that would stop the changes.

It means the bill now has to go back to the Commons, where Lib Dem MPs will again join Labour to vote it down.

The Tories argue that the Lib Dems have broken their side of the agreement, which was to support the changes that give the Conservatives 20 extra safe seats, in return for the referendum on electoral reform.

The defeat for David Cameron followed an impassioned debate in the Lords, in which senior Conservatives rounded on their Lib Dem partners.

Scottish Tory Lord Forsyth of Drumlean accused the Lib Dems of a “double-cross” and of “cheating” the Prime Minister. He said they were trying to gerrymander the constitution of political reasons.

But Lord Rennard, a former Lib Dem chief executive, said: “Many in my party take the view that the reduction in the number of MPs … should not take place without reform that would strengthen the legitimacy of this House.”