Why are there so many MP's

[Dolly80]

In light of public sector cuts, junior doctors strikes etc can anyone shed some light for me on why we have so many MP's in the UK?

I understand the American political system is different but they have 535 people in the House of Representatives and Senate, which is 115 less than the number of MP's we have in the Houses of Parliament, of whom there are currently 650.

I'm genuinely interested in why we have so many, given our population size. Could this be reduced? Do we actually need so many? Who decides to reform if that's the case? (I'm assuming the government would have to do this but isn't it unlikely they would ever vote in favour of cutting their own/their colleagues jobs).

With the money that needs to be saved in many sectors of society it feels somewhat unfair that our political leaders are immune from job cuts/workplace reform.

[unexpsoc]

I am not sure the issue is the number of MPs, more the number of elected representatives overall, and the broken links between what we believe they do and what they actually do.

To give you an example, during an MPs Surgery, they might meet voters who talk about a range of things such as Defence, Fisheries, Economic Development, Waste Collection, Waste Disposal, Environmental issues, Council Tax collection, education.

How many of those is the MP directly responsible for? Well, Defence, Education and Environment are national government issues, Fisheries (thanks to CFP) is a European led issue, Economic Development and Waste Disposal are county level, whereas Waste Collection and Council Tax collection are borough level.

Although to be clear, the budget for fisheries is EU, Education is devolved locally from a central pot and for Shire and Borough spend the money comes 80% centrally (after money is collected and remitted locally) and 20% locally (which they are allowed to keep).

Looking after this we have 20,000 councillors and 650 MPs. Oh, that is ignoring Police and Crime Commissioners too.

It is a fascinating subject, and I think the real answer is that we should link accountability to direct election to tax raising authority to budgetary responsibility. Then we can work out whether we have the right number of MPs.

[SSargassoSea]

The house of lords could be made up of say, 4 with knowledge of the education system, 4 with engineering background, 4 bank/economics, 4 art, 4 disabled living, 4 NHS etc etc.

Retirement age is 78?? , max length of role 6 years??

Perhaps some others who are eligible could lend their time free as advisors (as we are regularly told they are have vast knowledge and experience in their subject).

And their must be a mix of political parties.

I hate all this giving favours for retiring Party members/MPs/Civil Servants.