A NEW campaign group is calling for up to 150 parliamentary constituencies to be axed.

But the cause has received a mixed reaction from two ward MPs.

Campaign for Fairer Boundaries, fronted by a Bradford University graduate, wants there to be fewer MPs to save public money and create a fairer political system.

Director Gary Watton, who studied European Studies at the seat of learning in the 1990s and now lives in Belfast, said: “It’s a case of stating the obvious, but Great Britain has undoubtedly far too many MPs.

“To persist with the current 650 is a totally unnecessary waste on stretched public finances. At a time when Joe Public is required to consume the harsh dose of austerity, it is high time the legislators did likewise.”

Mr Watton said the country could run on 600 or even 500 MPs, and has analysed the arrangements in dozens of cities he believes are over-represented in Parliament, including Bradford.

He said: “There are three Labour MPs and I thought we could actually have two Labour MPs, elected with about 28,000 votes each, which would be a more credible mandate."

“Obviously, the Labour Party would be unhappy with that, but I don’t have an anti-Labour agenda by any means.”

Mr Watton said he had analysed other areas where the Tories would be disadvantaged by his suggestions, like Portsmouth, which he said did not need both its Conservative MPs.

Moves to reduce the number of MPs to 600 are already in the pipeline. The changes had been due in the last parliament, but were shelved. The Boundary Commissions are now due to start a review next year and expected to report back in 2018.

Ilkley's Conservative MP Kris Hopkins said: “It was a matter of great regret Labour and the Liberal Democrats joined forces to block Conservative plans to equalise the number of voters in parliamentary seats and cut the cost of politics by reducing the number of MPs.

“The Boundary Commissions are due to begin another review of constituency boundaries next year, and I look forward to studying their recommendations.”

Conservative MP for Shipley, Philip Davies, whose constituency includes Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, said the number of MPs needed in the country depended on what people saw their role as being.

He said: “If you just want MPs to sit in Parliament to pass laws, clearly we don’t need 650 of them, but if you want your MP to be based in the local community, you need 650.”