Local Authority Boundaries (Referendums) Bill

Baroness Laing of Elderslie Excerpts

Friday 25th February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

My hon. Friend will agree that democracy is a process, not a state, and it evolves. Winston Churchill said:

“democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”.—[Official Report, 11 November 1947; Vol. 444, c. 207.]

Does my hon. Friend agree with that, and does he agree that local democracy protects the interests of local residents, promotes equality, prevents the abuse of power and creates stability? Does he agree that these are all vital parts of the democracy for which he is fighting?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. I appreciate that the hon. Lady is intervening on the hon. Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore), but she should be addressing the Chair.

[Sally-Ann Hart]

I apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker.