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Political Parties and Elections Bill

As I have said, the principle is one that might well apply to all parties. That is why in principle it should apply across the board. If hon. Gentlemen—they are all gentlemen on the Conservative Benches—just want to use this legislation in a partisan way, then they cannot be surprised if other parties take the opportunity to use the legislation in a partisan way against them. I simply ask the Government to put on the record precisely when they expect to bring these provisions into force and, specifically, whether they intend to bring them into force before May next year.