How many constituencies are in the “United Kingdom”?

Well if we look at Wikipedia, an impeccable source for everything…it is 650.

But I dispute this. There are in reality just 643,

Seven constituencies elected a MP who will not be going to Westminster. They are for the record, all in Norn Iron, and the people elected Sinn Féin. It could be argued that at the next election Sinn Féin could be defeated in one, some or all of these constituencies. But this seems unlikely…more likely that a MP from these constituencies will ever actually go into Westminster again.

Indeed there is 50-50 chance that one more will be added next time around….and a reasonable chance that at least one more will join the list within a decade.

It is a strange tradition that TV election coverage begins with 650 seats and a reminder that 326 is the number required to form a new government.

Sinn Féin’s non attendance is of course about the Oath of Allegiance to Charles Windsor.

But they are a tad inconsistent. They maintain an office and actually claim expenses.

I applaud this. My philosophy has always been to take every penny I can get off the Brits. I wont condemn Sinn Féin for taking their lead from me.

I find it interesting that the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru do not at least think about the same tactic.

Moreso, the election of some Palestine supporting Independent MPs leads to the prospect of some boycotting Westminster at a future date.

The DisUnited Kingdom will never survive the weight of its contradictions.