MP Liam Byrne says boundary change proposal 'pointless'

Mr Byrne has been Hodge Hill MP since 2004

Birmingham Labour MP Liam Byrne has described plans to shake up parliamentary constituency boundaries as "pointless".

Under the proposed changes, wards in Mr Byrne's Birmingham Hodge Hill seat would move into other constituencies.

Overall, the proposed changes would leave Birmingham with nine MPs instead of the current 10.

The suggestions are part of a move to cut the number of MPs by 50 to 600 by the next general election.

Consultation

The proposals for Birmingham see a number of wards moving into re-configured constituencies to fit in with new rules aimed at making them all a similar size.

Hodge Hill as a constituency would go, with its wards taken in by other parliamentary seats.

Two of the wards, Hodge Hill and Washwood Heath, would move into a new-look Ladywood seat.

Bordesley Green would become part of Birmingham Yardley and Shard End would move out of Birmingham into the Meriden seat.

Mr Bryne, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "I imagine people will be furious at the idea of this pointless reorganisation, costing millions of pounds that will distract attention when we need a laser-like focus on creating jobs and getting the economy back on track."

The government believes a smaller Commons will lower the cost of politics, saving £12m a year, while the system will be fairer as the electorate in each constituency will be more uniform.

The Boundary Commission for England has launched a consultation into the initial proposals.