Belfast News: Two Less MP's For Northern Ireland

The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland is to conduct its sixth review of constituencies, the results of which are expected to see the number of Northern Ireland's MPs fall. The change would mean that Northern Ireland's 18 seats would be reduced by 2, leaving 16 constituencies.

Secretary to the commission Liz Benson has indicated that the new rules place greater emphasis on broadly achieving equal numbers of electors in each constituency, and will result in significant changes.

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This review stems from the new coalition government's new rules, introduced earlier this year, which are aimed at reducing the number of parliamentary constituencies across the UK.

The change in boundaries across Northern Ireland, will be contentious, as in the traditions of Northern Ireland politics, neither community will want to give way to the other.

The final recommendations of the Commission will be placed before the Northern Ireland Secretary by the 1st October 2013 and be in place for the next General Election, which could also see a new voting system in place if the Lib Dems were to win their PR Referendum on the 5th May 2011.

Last Updated: 4th March 2011