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Proceeding contribution from Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Monday, 7 February 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

I know that, but I think that the figure that I have seen is 84 per cent. It is recognised that London does not have elections, which is probably all the more cause for those who wish to stimulate participation to ensure that it is particularly well focused in London. As my noble friend Lord Tyler pointed out, when the question of a threshold was considered in the other place, Members there sent a very clear message indeed, voting by 549 votes to 31 votes against the proposal. I note in particular that Mr Christopher Bryant, speaking from the opposition Front Bench in the other place, said that he did, "““not think that it is appropriate to bring in a threshold””.—[Official Report, Commons, 2/11/10; col. 849.]" His colleagues followed him into the Lobby. The noble Lord, Lord Sewel, is in his place. During the debate on the 1997 referendum on devolution, he said: "““The threshold, as we have demonstrated, is one of the most dangerous introductions into the democratic process that has been engineered””.—[Official Report, 7/7/97; col. 467.]" I hope that he will confirm that.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
725 c30-1 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Constituency size Alternative vote Broadcasting Age Australia Elections Eligibility Expenditure Electoral Commission General elections Local government Northern Ireland Scotland Voting methods Young people Wales Scottish Parliament Single transferable vote Party political broadcasts Mayors
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk