Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill

Bob Stewart Excerpts

Wednesday 9th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Does the hon. Gentleman imply that perhaps the Bill will not be ready by May 2015 and should, if necessary, be pushed beyond that date?

[Wayne David]

If necessary, yes. In all fairness I cannot believe that the Government would seek to soldier on with a piece of legislation when all objective evidence shows that the time scale is so tight, and the difficulties to be faced so enormous, that it cannot be introduced effectively in time for the run-up to the next election. I stress the run-up because we must not talk only about the general election but the period before it. If the new clause is accepted by the Government—I genuinely hope it will be—it would be part of the legislative base. As a consequence, if the objective information is provided, the Government will do what is necessary to prevent a ridiculous and farcical situation from developing. Such a situation would harm not the Conservative or Labour parties but democracy itself, and it would further undermine people’s support, involvement and engagement in our democratic process.

--- Later in debate ---

[Bob Stewart]

In a perfect world, how much extra time does the hon. Lady think would be required for a consultation?