A BID to stop plans which would see the number of MPs cut from 650 to 600 has cleared its first hurdle in the Commons.

Labour MPs faced accusations that they want to halt Government-backed proposals to reduce the number of constituencies because they are "frightened" of losing their seats to the Jeremy Corbyn-supporting Momentum group.

But draft legislation brought forward by Pat Glass, the Labour MP for North West Durham, designed to retain the current number of MPs at 650, ultimately secured its second reading as it was backed by 253 votes to 37, a majority of 216.

Labour successfully forced the vote on the legislation by triggering an earlier vote - backed by 257 votes to 35, a majority of 222 - to curtail the debate on the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill.

Changes proposed by the Boundary Commissions for England and Wales to ensure each constituency - with the exception of a few island seats - has a broadly similar population have been objected to by Tory and Labour MPs.

Labour fears it will lose the most seats under the plans, intended to be introduced in time for a general election in 2020, which would ensure the number of people entitled to vote in each constituency is within five per cent of 74,769.

Ms Glass's Bill aims to ensure constituencies are within ten per cent of the electoral quota, the boundary commissions use more up-to-date data for its ongoing review, and that reviews take place every ten years rather than five.

Cabinet Office minister Chris Skidmore said in a statement following the debate: "These reforms - a Conservative Party manifesto commitment - will ensure fair and equal representation for the voting public across the United Kingdom by the next general election."