Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Lord Grenfell Excerpts

Monday 6th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Campbell-Savours]

As I say, I have spent the last weekend talking to people throughout Scotland about how it operates and it is very surprising to see how it operates.

[Lord Grenfell]

My Lords, may I have the temerity to point out to the noble Lord, Lord Rennard, who correctly told us when it was last discussed, that a lot of us here, and, indeed, in the country, were not around at that time?

[Lord Campbell-Savours]

At this stage, I shall resume my seat and await later opportunities to discuss these matters.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Strathclyde]

The noble Lord, Lord Soley, did indeed ask me a question. He asked—I wrote it down—“What happens if the Electoral Commission declares that the referendum cannot be held to an effective standard because of late changes to legislation?” The Electoral Commission has declared itself satisfied with progress so far. There is no reason why that progress should not continue. The conduct schedules to the Bill are based on tried-and-tested election rules. There is nothing new, nothing revolutionary, everything has been done before. It is on that basis that we do not accept that problems will arise.

The noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, was trying to get in but he has had a change of mind, for which I am very grateful. He does not have to intervene.

[Lord Grenfell]

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. Has there been a change of heart in the Electoral Commission in this case? How recent is the evidence it has now given that in fact it is happy with the progress made on this? What happens if, in the weeks to come, it is no longer happy? Will there then be a case for the Government to change their mind about the date?

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, its opinion is rock solid. It has every confidence.