Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Baroness Curran Excerpts

Monday 25th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab)]

rose—

[Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) (Lab)]

rose—

[Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co-op)]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Harper]

No. The franchise—those who can take part in the referendum on the voting system—are those people entitled to vote in Westminster parliamentary elections and, before the hon. Member for Rhondda jumps up, the small amendment that we have made, the addition of peers. The franchise is the same throughout the United Kingdom, so those entitled to vote in Westminster elections will be able to vote; the issue is simply to do with the mechanics of administering the polls to ensure that the elections are conducted using the most administratively sensible process.

[Margaret Curran]

The Minister may not be aware, but I am still a Member of the Scottish Parliament, and I feel obliged to point out to him that throughout the Parliament there are concerns about the coalition Government’s decision to hold the referendum on the same date as Scottish Parliament elections. People across the political spectrum in Scotland profoundly feel that that is a great disrespect to the Scottish Parliament, and I say that with great authority.

[Mr MacNeil]

More nationalism, more nationalism.

[Margaret Curran]

This is not a nationalist point, and I hope that the coalition does not dismiss the feelings to which I have referred as the marginal voice of nationalism in Scotland. The view is widespread throughout Scotland, and mainstream parties such as mine also hold it. However, I am concerned that in response to the question from the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart), the Minister seemed to imply that, because the Scottish Parliament does not have responsibility for the elections at the moment, it is not a key stakeholder in the ongoing discussions—

[The First Deputy Chairman]

Order. This intervention is longer than some of the speeches that I have made in this House—

[Margaret Curran]

rose—

[The First Deputy Chairman]

Please resume your seat.