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Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2009

Again, I thank the noble Baroness for that lengthy but clear description of the contents and purpose of this statutory instrument. Having not sought election myself in the past, other than on the one occasion that allows me to be here, I am not an expert in the details and minutiae of parliamentary elections but others here are. In a personal vein, I have never been a supporter of proportional representation. It complicates things enormously. However, we are where we are in Northern Ireland, and it is probably the best form of electoral system. Everyone involved in the administration of elections there deserves congratulations. Since I have been doing this job, over quite a number of years, we have moved miles to remove fraud, improve efficiency and get all sorts of lists and dates up to date. The system for administering elections in Northern Ireland is now way ahead and far more secure than that of the rest of the United Kingdom. It is high time that the United Kingdom Government got themselves together and got a more open, clear, honest, straightforward and well managed electoral system. Having said that, I leave it to others who are rather more experienced than me to comment on proportional representation and whatever else. I support the order.