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A project examining government proposals to change the system of reviewing Westminster constituencies, focusing on safeguarding the review process from any danger of undue political interference.
This research project examined听proposals introduced by the government in May 2020听to change the system of reviewing Westminster constituencies. The boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in the UK are reviewed periodically by independent Boundary Commissions听to ensure that constituencies are broadly equal in numbers of eligible voters while also respecting local ties. Until 2020, parliament could block听the Boundary Commissions' proposals. Under the new procedures 鈥�听which became law as the 听in December 2020听鈥�听that power was removed.
Our research, led by Alan Renwick and Robert Hazell, concluded听that this change was welcome,听as it strengthened the principle of independence of the boundary review process from political interference. It noted that no comparable听veto rights existed in comparable democracies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and that these systems worked well.
But our research also found that听stronger safeguards were needed to protect the Boundary Commissions from interference by government.听While there was no evidence that such interference had occurred, the removal of the parliamentary veto could increase incentives for it. Stronger safeguards already exist for many other bodies, notably the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. In particular, the research found that implementing non-renewable terms for Boundary Commissioners would mean听they would be less susceptible to pressure, and setting down听rules for their appointment听in law would make for a more transparent process.听This proposal was backed by the House of听Lords, but subsequently听rejected in the House of Commons.
This work built听on Robert Hazell鈥檚听review for the government听of the听Local Government Commission in 1998, which recommended a merger听with the Parliamentary Boundary Commission. The Unit has also carried out wider听work on constitutional watchdogs.
This听analysis was cited by the听听and in the听.
