Finance (No. 3) Bill

Debate between David Gauke and Diane Abbott

Wednesday 4th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hanson]

rose—

[Ms Abbott]

rose—

[Mr Gauke]

I shall give way first to the hon. Lady.

[Ms Abbott]

For the record, I am the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, not for Shoreditch, and I came this close to being leader of the Labour party. [Laughter.] Yes, this close! Perhaps the alternative vote system would have done it for me—who knows!

Of course we supported the proposal made by the outgoing Labour Government, but as we have said throughout this important and illuminating debate, we did so only in combination with the redistributive measures in relation to child care for two-year-olds.

[Mr Gauke]

I look forward to seeing how Hansard transcribes, “this close”. I should point out, however, that the hon. Lady did stand under AV, and her votes probably contributed to the final result, so she can be pleased with that—we certainly are.