We still need MPs to speak for Wales at Westminster.

I must admit I'm in two minds over  the proposals by the Tory government The electoral map of Wales is about to be redrawn with the number of Westminster constituencies slashed from 40 to just 29.

My natural tendency is to agree with the  Green Dragon  in that 

"Certainly no one who supports self government for Wales should bemoan or be frightened of this decision",

But part of me wonders if the Unionist claim that we are "Better Together" means they recognise the separate Identity of Wales and Scotland , then the de facto increasing the ratio of English MP's over the rest of the UK can  hardly seen as democratic.

• The number of English MPs will fall from 533 to 501;
• Scotland’s will go down from 59 to 53;
• and Northern Ireland will see a decline from 18 to 17.
• Proposals for the boundaries of the new seats are due to be published in September.

There are other reasons  including the decision to redraw the map comes at a time of concern about falling numbers of registered voters.

There has been controversy about the switch to the system of Individual Electoral Registration (IER). Which although  we have a rising population the number of people registering to vote has fallen which many believe suits the Tories as more people in affluent areas will tend to register,

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards said:

“The proposal by the Boundary Commission to reduce the number of MPs representing Welsh constituencies in the House of Commons from 40 down to 29 is a sad day for democracy.
"This is the latest stage in the Conservative Westminster Government’s decision to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600. “Wales will have a cut of 11 MPs.
"Despite having only 5% of the UK population, we are being made to bear the brunt of over 20% of that total overall UK cut.”

I would like to see  to see Zero MPs Wels going to Westminster  but as long as there are decisions being made  by Westminster that adversely  affect us . I believe that there is an argument for more MPs not less.

I also find myself nodding in agreement (for once) with Nia Griffith, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Wales who said:

 "This substantial cut in the number of Welsh MPs will lessen Wales' voice in Westminster at exactly the same time that Government policies are hitting the communities we represent.
“Any reduction in the number of Welsh MPs will have an adverse effect on the range of support and advice services that MPs' offices provide to constituents.
“If the Conservatives were serious about cutting the cost of politics they would cut the number of unelected peers in the House of Lords, which has ballooned in size with 236 new peers appointed since David Cameron became Prime Minister.”

It maybe that this could be a good thing and concentrate Welsh minds on the Assembly and see calls for major changes in the relationship between the Nations of these Islands and DevoMax rather than DevoDibynbach.

But as long as we see our young men and Women sent to illegal wars or renewing expensive gestures like Trident  in order that politicians can convince themselves "Britain" is still a major power then we need voices in London that speak for Wales.

It is also important we do not forget what is happening in Cornwall  with the proposal to force a Devonwall seat on us. Undermining Kernows unique identity 

Maybe I could be accused that for someone campaigning for Independence of wanting  a piece of the "Devolution Cake" and eating it.

To which I hold my hand up. 

Unfortunately we in Wales are a long way from parity with Scotland let alone Independence and as long as we have a cruel governments in Westminster that treat us with contempt we at least need some voices there to speak for us,