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Political Parties and Elections Bill

My Lords, I intend to be very brief as I spoke at great length in Committee and on Report. I thank parliamentary counsel and those who drafted these amendments, which tidy up the amendments which we originally moved, for the considerable effort they have made during a very short period. I also thank my noble friend Lord Bach, Mr Wills and Mr Jack Straw for all the work and effort they have put into ensuring that these ideas and principles were transformed into legislation. However, I also wish to clarify the following point. At no stage during the handling of this amendment in this House, in Committee or on Report, have I ever indicated that it was intended to target any individual. I have always recognised that people in all political parties might be affected by this. My view has always been, and remains, that this is an issue of principle. It is on that basis that I have moved these amendments. I am grateful to all those, particularly the Liberal Democrats and the Cross-Benchers, for their support on the night of the rebellion when we overturned the Government’s measure.