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Proceeding contribution from Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 30 November 2010. It occurred during Legislative debate on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

I want to know who is the uncle. All I will say is that we have suddenly begun to embark on a number of procedural debates. That is all well and good, and it is part of the tradition of the House that we should do so. However, I question whether we need to explore the uncertain waters of hybridity, and whether we should ignore 99 years of tradition by questioning a money Bill. Now when we need to proceed to our normal function of revising and improving a Bill, I simply say to the Opposition that they should take time to think. When I was opposing the noble Lord, Lord Mandelson, of Foy, on the Postal Services Bill, I was made aware that there were two or three procedural devices that I could have resorted to had I wanted to delay the Bill. I reached the conclusion that I should do my best from the Front Bench to enable this House to do what it always does well, which is to revise and improve. I would just say that reputations take generations to build, but they can be lost overnight by an irresponsible Opposition. I know that my uncle, the noble and learned Lord, responds to Shakespeare. Perhaps I may just quote again: "““O! I have lost my reputation. I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial””." They should think again.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
722 c1377-8 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Boundary commissions Constituency size Constituencies Alternative vote Legislative process House of Commons General elections Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk