European Union Referendum Bill Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

European Union Referendum Bill

Lord Lester of Herne Hill Excerpts
Wednesday 18th November 2015

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Faulks Portrait Lord Faulks
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I am afraid that I have not had enough time to see the film, but any argument about where you draw a line could be simply dismissed as one that has been used hitherto in different circumstances. I am concerned about whether giving these particular young people the vote is appropriate.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill Portrait Lord Lester of Herne Hill (LD)
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I am sure that the noble Lord does not wish to be offensive but the last time I heard arguments about brains and capacity was in Jackson, Mississippi, with the Ku Klux Klan showing me charts of the average Negro brain compared with a white brain. Does he not realise that arguments of that kind are deeply offensive?

Lord Faulks Portrait Lord Faulks
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I resent the noble Lord’s suggestion. We are engaging in an argument about whether to lower the voting age. Seeking comparisons with the Ku Klux Klan is entirely inappropriate and I reject it.