Embattled Boris Johnson is planning to “shapeshift” the electoral map to tip the odds in favour of the Tories at the next election, Labour strategists fear.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer has been put on alert for an “ambush”, with constituency changes pushed through without giving MPs a say.
The biggest shake-up in 20 years would wipe out Labour seats in the north, Scotland and Wales and increase Tory-voting seats in the wealthy south.
A previous attempt, which would have axed 50 Westminster MPs – mostly Labour – was dropped in the face of a Parliamentary rebellion.
But under new rules, MPs will not get a final say. Instead, the independent Boundary Commission plans will be rubber-stamped by the Privy Council, a group of advisers to the Queen made up of former and serving ministers which meets in private.
Consultations on the proposals, intended to even out constituency sizes, ended in April.
The recommendations – to be published next June – could get the go-ahead in time for an election late next year or in 2024.
The plans would cut the number of MPs for the mostly Labour-voting north east and west by four, and the Midlands by two.
Changes in London would shift Tory voters into current Labour strongholds.
A Labour source said: “The effect on us could be substantial – it will tip the odds in the Tories’ favour. It would amount to an ambush.”
