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Government of Wales Bill

My Lords, I, too, detected that whiff of inconsistency. However, as the noble Lord knows, I was not discouraged from pressing ahead with my Bill and I shall continue to do so. I should like to ask the noble Lord, who speaks from the Opposition Benches, why he thinks that the provision will make any difference to the political balance. It will not make any difference to it. All it does is prevent individual candidates from standing for both. The Conservatives can have just as many candidates in constituencies and on the list as they wish. Although it may have been before his time, the noble Lord may recall that it was possible to stand for two constituencies in elections to the House of Commons. I presume that he is not recommending that. It gave the electorate more choice, but it was manifest nonsense. It is also manifest nonsense to stand for the list and for a constituency. This is absolutely right in Wales and I shall support the Bill and this provision enthusiastically. I hope that my noble friends will see that it is wise to do this for other parts of the United Kingdom as well.