Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Earl Ferrers (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 15 July 2010.

Elections: Costs

Question: My Lords, in view of the coalition Government’s desire to save public money at every possible opportunity, would my noble friend not agree that an expenditure of the amount that he referred to on a referendum is a complete waste of money and that nobody understands the alternative vote system or any of the other proportional representation systems? They all understand first past the post, so why do the Government not drop this policy?

Answer: I do not know why the cheers are coming from the other side, because we are following their policy. My goodness, is it not welcome to get some comments from a large ““C”” Conservative?

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 720 c764-5
Session: 2010-12
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Boundary commissions Constituencies Alternative vote Costs General elections Referendums Parliament
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk