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Proceeding contribution from Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 15 December 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Do we not need to learn the lesson from, for example, the referendum on a regional assembly in the north-east, where the no campaign was led by business interests? That campaign was relatively well-funded and was clearly against Labour Party policy. In effect, therefore, it was significantly in the interests of the Conservative Party. Does the Minister feel that the lessons of that experience have been adequately absorbed and that the existing legislation to which the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, referred satisfactorily covers such circumstances? Or does he feel that the legislation governing referendum expenses needs to be brought up to date in the light of that example of how money can be spent in a political cause but not overtly by a political party?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
723 c629-30 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Constituencies Alternative vote Broadcasting Costs Finance Expenditure Electoral Commission General elections Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Assembly National Assembly for Wales Political parties Newspaper press Referendums Loans Media Scotland Voting behaviour Voting methods Wales Scottish Parliament
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk