The current makeup of Parliament’s 649 MPs includes 306 Conservatives (47 per cent), 258 Labour (40 per cent), 57 Liberal Democrats (nine per cent) and 28 Others (four per cent).

For a vote of no-confidence in the Government and a subsequent General Election, Parliament has to see a vote supported by 326 MPs (50 per cent plus one). This is a simple majority of MPs.

The current Con-Dem Coalition is proposing be raised to 358 MPs (55 per cent), to shore up the Conservatives should some Lib-Dem MPs become unhappy with propping up a Conservative Government.

Such a move is selfish and could mean paralysis in Parliament. We could end up in a situation whereby the Government would not have enough support to pass any legislation, but could not be removed from office.

This is not in the national interest and I see it as neither liberal nor democratic. It is only to ensure the Conservatives cannot engineer a vote of no-confidence by themselves and to ensure the Lib Dems cannot walk out of the coalition and support Labour and others in bringing down a Tory Government. This is a cynical move to protect the interests of the Tories and their Lib-Dem lapdogs in binding them together.

Councillor James Alexander Leader of City of York Council’s Labour opposition group, Holgate Road, York.