Top MPs at risk in shake-up of English constituencies

Some of the most high-profile MPs in Parliament face seeing their seats disappear as part of a far-reaching shake-up of the Commons map in 2015. Ken Clarke, Chris Huhne and Tessa Jowell are among those in England and Northern Ireland who may be affected. The plans which will be subject to two years of consultation, are part of a move to cut the number of MPs by 50 to 600 by the next general election. Details for Wales and Scotland will be published at a later date. Under plans approved by Parliament in February, England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland will all see their parliamentary representation reduced after the next election, due in May 2015. The government believes a smaller Commons will lower the cost of politics, saving £12m, while the system will be fairer as the number of registered voters in each constituency will be more uniform. But some Labour MPs have accused the coalition of gerrymandering while some Lib Dems are reported to be unhappy about the prospect of losing seats in the shake-up - agreed as a package earlier this year in combination with May's referendum on the voting system. The recommendations cover English constituencies only. Separate proposals are being published on Tuesday for Northern Ireland, with plans for Scotland and Wales to follow in the coming months. The Boundary Commission for England has given details of all 502 constituencies, broken down into nine English regions, in which elections are likely to be held in 2015. The full details of allocated English seats, compared to 2010, are:     South East England: 83 seats (-1)     North West England: 68 (-7)     London - 68 seats (-5)     Eastern England: 56 seats (-2)     Yorkshire and Humber: 50 seats (-4)     West Midlands: 54 seats (-5)     South West England: 53 seats (-2)     East Midlands: 44 seats (-2)     North East England: 26 seats (-3) Senior figures from all parties are likely to be affected by the changes. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke's existing Rushcliffe constituency in Nottinghamshire would cease to exist in its current form under the plans. Its voters would split between four proposed seats - Broxtowe, Coalville and Keyworth, Newark and Nottingham South and West Bridgford. Chancellor George Osborne's Tatton constituency in Cheshire would also disappear, with its voters divided between the newly proposed seat of Northwich and existing Tory-held Macclesfield. Shadow Cabinet members Ed Balls and Hilary Benn could face a fight for one seat if their constituencies in West Yorkshire are partly amalgamated. Mr Benn's Leeds Central constituency would effectively be abolished, with 45% of its voters transferred to the new constituency of Leeds South and Outwood. The shadow chancellor's existing Morley and Outwood constituency would also be redrawn, with more than half of its existing voters transferring to Leeds South and Outwood.As part of major changes in London, the Dulwich and West Norwood seat of former Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell would disappear and be split into three while frontbencher Chuka Umunna would see his Streatham seat divided up four ways. Under the outline proposals, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's Sheffield Hallam seat will be redesignated as Sheffield West and Penistone. The deputy prime minister is expected to face a strong Labour challenge at the 2015 poll. Other Lib Dems who could be under pressure include Chris Huhne, Vince Cable and Tim Farron. Energy Secretary Mr Huhne's Eastleigh constituency would be split in two under the plans, with nearly half its voters transferring to the newly proposed Hedge End and Hamble seat.Business Secretary Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, could potentially find himself up against millionaire Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, if they both choose to fight the newly proposed Richmond and Twickenham seat.