One thousand days after it came into existence, the Scottish parliament has set itself on a collision course with Westminster and the act of parliament that created it.

The Scottish executive has rejected its founding Scotland Act 1998 that will reduce the number of Scottish Westminster MPs alongside a reduction in the number of MSPs.

"At present the law requires the number of MSPs in the Scottish parliament to be adjusted in line with the proposed reduction in Scottish MPs at Westminster. Arguments have been put for and against changing the current number of MSPs and I want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard in this debate," said the secretary of state, Helen Liddell at the launch of a consultation in February.

The proposals would cut from 72 to 59 the number of constituency MSPs elected in boundaries that match those to Westminster seats. Other MSPs are elected on a regional basis.

The Scottish parliament's response to the plan is a clear cut "no", that the number of MSPs should remain at 129 "to give the Scottish parliament stability and let it continue working with the executive to make Scotland a better place".

Minister for parliament, Patricia Ferguson said: "We believe there is a very strong case for the parliament to remain at its current size".

"We do not believe that the parliament and its committees could function as well as it does with 106 members instead of 129. Everyone recognises we need stability. The present arrangements are working well. Reducing the size of the parliament would considerably change its dynamics, in my view for the worse. It would amount to a considerable upheaval for no good purpose."