Local Government Reorganisation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Alison Griffiths
Main Page: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)Department Debates - View all Alison Griffiths's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(1 day, 11 hours ago)
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Alison McGovern
A merry Christmas to him, too! I feel disappointed that he is disappointed to see me here. In any case, as I have said to other Members, what has happened is that local councils have raised concerns with us, and we are attempting to get in touch with them—the letter is going to them today—so that they can say what the circumstances are in their boroughs. As we have discussed, if they wish for elections to go ahead, that is fine.
Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
This is a disgraceful decision that damages our democracy and sets a dangerous precedent. To borrow a phrase, is the Minister afraid? Frightened? Frit? What does she say to my constituents whose fundamental right to have their say at the ballot box is now being taken away?
Alison McGovern
I am sure that the hon. Lady’s council will have heard what she has said and understood her views—and it is right that it has. Having stood in one local council election and five general elections, I am not afraid of democracy.