Seats of Jeremy Corbyn and George Osborne set to disappear under plans to cut number of MPs

credit - Press Association

Jeremy Corbyn and George Osborne are among the big names set to see their seats disappear under plans to slash the number of MPs to 600.

Labour are the biggest losers under the Boundaries Commission proposals, with the party expected to see around 25 of its seats vanish.

That would leave them with an even bigger mountain to climb if they are to regain power at the next general election.

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The Conservatives would lose around 17, with four Lib Dem seats - half their total - also facing the axe.

Corbyn’s Islington North is to be abolished under the review, but a new neighbouring seat could allow him to remain in Parliament.

The Labour leader said: “I’m very confident of the constituency changes that are suggested.

"But I have to say they are a long way off. I look forward to representing in parliament some part of Islington and some part of north London.

“But I’m very unhappy with the size of the new constituencies. Many of these areas, such as the one I represent don’t need to be too big." 

Former Chancellor Osborne may have to go head-to-head with 1922 Committee chairman Graham Brady in the battle for a new seat as his Tatton Park constituency is one that is recommended for the chop.

Last night, Osborne said: "Whatever the final boundaries, I look forward to putting myself forward to voters for re-election for Cheshire in 2020.”

Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge seat will be changed to include more Labour wards, while another of the leading Brexiteers, David Davis, is also looking at major changes to his Yorkshire constituency.

Other Tory Cabinet ministers including Justine Greening and Priti Patel are also affected.

The Conservatives are pursuing a policy of ‘No colleague left behind’ for sitting MPs, according to party chairman Patrick McLoughlin.

“This constructive approach is in strong contrast to the Labour party which is riddled with infighting and threats of deselection,” he added.

Labour’s response to the commission was to criticise the cut-off date for electoral data, arguing that two millions newly signed-up voters for the EU referendum were being excluded.

Shadow Cabinet minister Jonathan Ashworth said: “The current proposals to redraw constituency boundaries are unfair, undemocratic and unacceptable. They are based on an out-of-date version of the electoral register with nearly two million voters missing. 

“Constitutional changes should be done fairly and consensually, to ensure that everyone given a voice. There is nothing fair about redrawing boundaries with millions left out, and reducing the number of elected MPs while the unelected House of Lords continues to grow.”

Labour party rules mean that if an MP’s old constituency comprises 40 per cent of a new one, that sitting parliamentarian can run for selection in the new seat.

But the Commission’s proposals have been mooted by some as a means to make sweeping changes to the make-up of the parliamentary Labour party.

Many high-profile critics of Corbyn – including Tristram Hunt, Stephen Kinnock and leadership hopeful Owen Smith – could face a fight to be reselected under the current plans.

The Liberal Democrats could also be hit, with as many as three of their eight seats under threat.

Former leader Nick Clegg will see his seat absorb more Labour wards, potentially putting his position under threat.

The Electoral Reform Society, meanwhile, said the boundaries should be drawn based on an area’s population rather than registered voters.