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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

It is hardly a secret that we want a general election based on fair constituencies, and I do not think that is an unreasonable aspiration. The second reason why we are abolishing the public inquiries is that they do not achieve their purpose. They do not provide the boundary commissions with a good indication of local opinion to aid them in the process of drawing up constituencies. [Hon. Members: ““How do you know?””] I will tell Members how I know—academics have been clear on that point for a number of years. Professors Butler and McLean, in their evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life in 2006, argued that a faster approach could"““simplify the system without leading to any significant decline in equity.””" Oral inquiries were described by Professor Ron Johnston and his colleagues, whom the right hon. Member for Tooting quoted several times, as"““very largely an exercise in allowing the political parties to seek influence over the Commission's recommendations—in which their sole goal is to promote their own electoral interests.””" That is why the right hon. Gentleman and his friends like the system at the moment. It gives the power to the parties, not to the public.