---

Political Parties and Elections Bill

I thank the right hon. Gentleman and I am flattered that he so anticipated this point that he took the trouble to check up on the size of my majority. Surely my right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary has better reason to believe that there was consensus on the issue, and not only because of the amendment that Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish moved in the House of Lords. Incidentally, when Lord Bach said to him:"““If he withdraws his amendments, I promise to look at the point that he has raised””," Lord Mackay replied:"““I am happy to do that””—[Official Report, House of Lords, 24 October 2000; Vol. 618, c. 229.]" That sounds as though the amendment was meant seriously, rather than as a probing amendment. Surely, the main reason for that belief is that Opposition Members in the House of Commons made no attempt in Committee, on Second Reading or on Third Reading to move any amendment to change the nature of triggering.