Electoral Commission Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Electoral Commission

Lord Rennard Excerpts
Tuesday 17th July 2018

(6 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
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That is a helpful suggestion. We should consult with the political parties to see how practical it is, but that suggestion was made in the exchanges in the other place. It is well worth looking at that to see in advance whether anyone is heading for an overspend.

Lord Rennard Portrait Lord Rennard (LD)
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My Lords, if the referendum was not fundamentally flawed, why are the Government so reluctant to concede that there is now a very strong case for a judicial and public inquiry into the conduct of the 2016 referendum?

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
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It makes sense to complete the inquiries that are on the way. Other investigations into the referendum are still being conducted by the Electoral Commission. A court case on the issues we are talking about is pending. It would not be helpful to try to launch a public inquiry against that background.