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Proceeding contribution from Richard Shepherd (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 16 February 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

The Government give as their reason for disagreeing:"““Because the outcome of the referendum should be determined by those who vote in it and should not depend on how many do not vote.””" I challenge that. I do not accept it. One of the reasons why I challenge the process is that we are under a guillotine. During the whole passage of the Bill we have been guillotined. Their lordships are part of Parliament and therefore used to be considered custodians of the constitution, so that we in our party passion might not force through something that altered the balance of the constitution. I oppose the motion for that reason. The Bill is a major constitutional change. No one has argued otherwise. It will change the voting system. We have almost universal suffrage. Everyone is entitled to vote. If they choose not to exercise—


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
523 c1086 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Alternative vote Referendums Voting behaviour
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk