 The number of Scottish MPs at Westminster is being cut to 59 |
The new political map of Scotland comes into effect on Thursday after proposals to cut the number of MPs were approved. The Privy Council has given its backing to the Boundary Commission plan to reduce the number of Scottish MPs at Westminster from 72 to 59.
The move means that Holyrood and Westminster will no longer share the same boundaries.
The Scottish Parliament will continue to have 129 MSPs and the constituencies will not be altered.
The changes mean the general election, widely expected to be in May, will be fought on the new boundaries.
Over-representation
The Scotland Act, which paved the way for the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, contained an agreement to end the anomaly of Scotland's over-representation at Westminster.
The final recommendations were released just over a year ago following a lengthy consultation exercise and a series of public inquiries.
A number of cabinet ministers face seeing their constituencies disappear in the redistribution, including Chancellor Gordon Brown, Health Secretary John Reid and Scottish Secretary Alistair Darling.
However, the ministers are expected to be given new constituencies when Labour draws up its list of parliamentary candidates for the next election.
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