Debates between Alec Shelbrooke and Martin Vickers during the 2010-2015 Parliament

Mon 7th Nov 2011

Localism Bill

Debate between Alec Shelbrooke and Martin Vickers
Monday 7th November 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alec Shelbrooke Portrait Alec Shelbrooke
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I am listening very carefully to my hon. Friend’s points. I think Members of all parties have been guilty of trying to explain why they do not think particular referendums, on serious issues, should be binding.

If there were a referendum suggesting that councillors should not receive any money whatever for their work, I believe it would find popular support, yet councillors work hard and need some sort of recompense. If that referendum were binding, how would councillors deal with that situation?

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
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My hon. Friend makes a very interesting point, and my response is obvious—I am arguing in favour of binding referendums, so I believe that such a referendum would have to be binding. There could be turnout—