Elections: AV Referendum and Scottish Parliament

Lord King of Bridgwater Excerpts

Tuesday 20th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Tankerness]

I recognise the noble Lord’s interest. My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister has made clear what we wish to do. There are many examples from many places around the world of elections and referendums taking place on the same day. With the first Scottish election taking place in the shadow of the Kosovo engagement and the second Scottish election coinciding with the Iraq war, I do not believe that there will be any question of the Scottish elections being overshadowed by the referendum.

[Lord King of Bridgwater]

Can my noble friend give an assurance that if voters are queuing to vote in large numbers, there is some chance of their being able to vote and having their votes counted, after the shambles under the previous Government?

[Lord Wallace of Tankerness]

I think that all sides of the House would agree that that it is very important that anyone who wishes to vote and turns up in time to vote should be allowed to vote.