Elections: Voting Systems

Lord Howarth of Newport Excerpts

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

I can give the assurance that we will give an open-minded look. My suspicion, however, is that in both Houses and in general there will be reluctance to bring an element of compulsion into voting, although all parties would like to see greater participation.

[Lord Howarth of Newport]

If the House of Commons were to be elected under AV and the second Chamber were to be elected under proportional representation, would not the second Chamber then have greater legitimacy, and what would be the implications for the primacy of the House of Commons?

[Lord McNally]

I think none whatever, because our reform programme will certainly underpin the primacy of the House of Commons.