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Proceeding contribution from Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 26 January 2012. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Scotland Bill.

Scotland Bill

I treat the noble Lord, Lord Steel, as a friend of mine; in fact, he was at the party as well. He will not be coming to my 80th, that is for sure—no, that is a very good point. It illustrates the absurdity of it all. When I was a Member of Parliament for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, which we considered a relatively safe seat, I had meetings all over the place. I produced literature and spent almost the limit to make sure that I got elected. In 1997, I ended up with the largest majority in Scotland as a result. We worked hard to get elected. It seems absurd, having worked hard year in, year out to get elected as a Member of Parliament in that constituency from 1979 to 2005, I just floated in easily to the Scottish Parliament. It is a strange system.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
734 c1259-60 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Devolved matters Constituencies Administration Age Devolution Elections Legislative competence Legislation Electoral systems Fixed-term parliaments Dual mandate Ministerial powers Powers Members Referendums Ministers Parliamentary session Scotland Voting rights Scottish Parliament Supreme Court Scottish National Party Independent members Reserved matters Legislative consent motions Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
Legislation
Scotland Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk