---

Political Parties and Elections Bill

I do not think that I can make my position clearer. I think the noble Lord will agree that he is trying to entrap me into making a commitment that we will always maintain a consensus. I was saying that we have been committed to consensus throughout this process. I do not think that that is likely to change, given the commitments that I and my noble friend Lord Bates, together with others in another place, have made, and I shall not go any further than that. As I said, we still seek consensus. The only difference between my amendment and that of the Government is the small idea that we should consult the Electoral Commission. I should be very interested to hear what the Minister has to say about that when he comes to respond, if he thinks that it is necessary to say anything. Looking forward to his response, it is then likely that I will not move Amendment 113 but will accept the Government’s Amendment 112.