Number of MPs at Westminster

I heard recently Nick Clegg was advocating a reduction in the number of MPs at Westminster. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is that this is another Lib Dem scheme to wangle a little more power in the House of Commons. However, the more I think about it the more I can see his point.

Without going over the West Lothian question for the umpteenth time in recent history, most people accepted as reasonable that following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament there was a reduction in the number of Scottish MPs at Westminster. However, there is still a disproportionally high number of Welsh seats for general elections. Even more baffling is the fact that despite the introduction of a London Assembly there has been virtually no change in the number of seats in London.

Party politics aside, shouldn't a greater level of pluralism and 'local democracy' lessen the need for so many representatives at Westminster? Two hundred fewer politicians would save us all plenty in tax-funded salaries and expenses.