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Proceeding contribution from Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 15 February 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

My problem with Lords amendment 19 is new paragraph 5A(b) of schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, which states that"““such necessity arises from special geographical considerations or local ties””." I want to focus on ““local ties””, because that is why I shall vote against the amendment. It is bad law, and, looking at ““local ties”” and how that might be expanded, we should consider my seat, Elmet and Rothwell. First, let us focus on Rothwell, which between 1917 and 1955 had its own parliamentary constituency. After that, it was included in others, and at the most recent election it fell outside a safe Labour seat for the first time, making me the first Conservative MP for Rothwell. Moving on to special interests and local ties of an ““exceptionally compelling nature””, however, I note that outside my constituency there is a village called Sherburn in Elmet. Many people in that part of the world, when I tell them that I am the MP for Elmet and Rothwell, say, ““Ah, I live in Sherburn in Elmet; you're my MP,”” but of course, I am not, because it is not in my constituency.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
523 c871 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Boundary commissions Constituency size Constituencies Alternative vote Elections Inquiries Electoral register Isle of Wight Members Referendums Ministers Voting behaviour Voting methods Wales
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk