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Proceeding contribution from Lord Martin of Springburn (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 15 March 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Fixed-term Parliaments Bill.


Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

I am at a loss to understand why the Government do not go for four years. Another feature about a fifth year is that everyone will be in the doldrums. Members of Parliament will not stay in the Chamber. They will be campaigning in their constituencies. That will be a problem in the fifth year. I know that some noble Lords are muttering and I do not want to go on for too long because I was accused on the radio of filibustering not so long ago, which was not true. My point is that, if there is legislation in the fourth year, Members of Parliament will stay because of their duty to vote, but if there is nothing doing in that final year, they will be campaigning in their constituencies.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
726 c225 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Absent voting Devolution Elections Legislatures Fixed-term parliaments Dissolution Northern Ireland Referendums Parliament Scotland Voting behaviour Religion Wales
Legislation
Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk