Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Swinson Excerpts
Tuesday 27th July 2010

(14 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Clegg Portrait The Deputy Prime Minister
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It seems to me that extending the period during which representations can be made from one month to three months is not minimising people’s ability to make their views known: it is doing exactly the reverse.

Jo Swinson Portrait Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD)
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A vital part of rebuilding trust in our political system is giving constituents the power to call a by-election if their MP has been found guilty of wrongdoing. I am delighted that the right of recall is in the coalition agreement, but can my right hon. Friend tell us when he will bring forward legislation to implement this?

Nick Clegg Portrait The Deputy Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is right. By the time the election was called, I think that all parties had a manifesto commitment to introduce a power of recall, whereby if it were proved that a Member of Parliament was guilty of serious wrongdoing, his or her constituents would not have to wait until the next general election to cast judgment on the fitness of that individual to continue to represent them, but would be able to trigger a process of recall by a petition from 10% of constituents. We intend to bring forward that proposal in legislation next year, and I hope that it will enjoy cross-party support.