(13 years, 1 month ago)
Commons ChamberMy hon. Friend has put matters on the record. I am content to take the arguments and reasons given by Members of the House of Lords as justification for the amendments in which they believed.
Does the Minister agree that if we accept the amendment, we are setting up a perverse incentive for the Government of the day to seek a low turnout if they wish to get a measure through? That might affect the way they publicise a referendum or engage with the process.
That puts it fairly. The perverse incentive to seek an apathetic reaction from the electorate is one that I would want to avoid.