MPs are queuing down the corridor on the first floor of Portcullis House as they try to get hold of a copy of the proposed boundary changes which have just been released under embargo. Boundary changes can make a huge difference to an MP, converting a marginal into a safe seat and vice-versa.
Boundary reviews are a whip’s nightmare as they will set MPs of the same party against each other. The danger for the two coalition partners is that MPs’ take to rebelling on emotive issues for their parties in an attempt to win any selection head to head. This is why Cameron went out of his way to promise all Tory MPs that no one would be left without a seat at the Tory parliamentary dinner last Wednesday night. But achieving this is probably going to require tempting some Tory MPs into the Elysian Fields of the Lords.

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