header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
18 June 2021 / Alec Samuels
Issue: 7937 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Constitutional law , Public
printer mail-detail

Elections: Rebalancing the map

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
51267
Making every vote count the same: Alec Samuels reports on long-overdue updates to parliamentary constituencies
  • Key changes enacted under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020, which will see constituencies redefined to equalise the number of electors in each.

The law and practice of parliamentary constituencies has been reformed. This reform is long overdue. Too many elections in the 21st century have been fought on the basis of a substantial number of constituencies having had markedly more or markedly fewer electors than the norm, so that the number of voters required to win one seat is markedly different from another—giving, as it happened, a considerable advantage to Labour and the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland. Psephologists estimate that under the current boundaries the Conservatives need at least a three-point opinion poll lead in order to win overall; and the current boundaries give Labour a ten-seat advantage.

Number of MPs

Initial proposals, confirmed earlier this month, will see the number of constituencies and MPs remaining at 650. Some people have argued that with the increase in the size of the population,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: No such thing as a ‘Welsh seat’
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
NLJ this week: Jury reform risks justice for efficiency’s sake
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
NLJ this week: Crypto fightback offers ‘new frontier for law’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
NLJ this week: Time to revive the duty to report crime?
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
NLJ this week: When are experts truly ‘necessary’?
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll