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Political Parties and Elections Bill

I shall be brief but perhaps marginally more controversial. I completely support the amendment, although perhaps not for the reasons that the noble Lord, Lord Norton of Louth, might appreciate. Sometimes the commission produces reports that are politically very inconvenient; they just do not suit the debate of the times. One particular report that I recall is the one it produced on individual registration, to which I am utterly hostile. It might in a few years’ time produce a report on electoral registration that shows that government policy is not being realised, which might suit the Government of that time, who might wish simply to ignore it and not respond positively to any recommendations that it might make that would lead to an increase in electoral registration. In wanting to avoid the potential political inconvenience, I strongly support the amendment.