Proceeding contribution from Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19 April 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
If we are honest, should we not admit that we have got ourselves into this mess because the Minister is trying to defend an indefensible position? The only way in which he could defend it honestly is by saying that he wants to give the Secretary of State the political wriggle room to make decisions about the electoral canvass in the political interests of a negotiation with one party or another. The chief electoral officer’s objective guidance could therefore be overruled for reasons of political expediency, and everyone except the Minister feels that that would be very bad for democracy.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 445 c181
- Session
- 2005-06
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Devolved matters Fraud Elections Ministerial powers Northern Ireland Public appointments Public interest Political parties Registration Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland
- Legislation
- Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005-06
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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- 2024-04-21 11:00:10 +0100
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- http://data.parliament.uk/pimsdata/hansard/CONTRIBUTION_315309
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