Draft Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026 Debate
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David Simmonds
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Draft Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026
David Simmonds Excerpts(2 days, 17 hours ago)
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David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond.
There are many arguments of principle and technical detail regarding the merits or otherwise of the change to the voting system proposed by the Government under this draft legislation, but the Committee is not the place to debate those; they have been considered in Committee previously. I will be clear that the Opposition remain opposed to the change, which reverses a change that we made in government. We remain committed to the elegance and simplicity of first past the post as a means of carrying out elections, rather than any of the other many complex systems that are available around the world. For that reason, we will seek a Division, but I have no questions to put to the Minister.