Electoral Fraud Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Electoral Fraud

Lord Pearson of Rannoch Excerpts
Wednesday 29th March 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl Howe Portrait The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe) (Con)
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My Lords, it is the turn of the noble Lord, Lord Pearson.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch Portrait Lord Pearson of Rannoch
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My Lords, does the Minister agree that our first past the post system in local and national elections ensures that their results are democratically fraudulent?

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
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We do not have first past the post in many local elections. If the noble Lord is familiar with the election of the Mayor of London, for example, he will recognise that there are alternative systems—and likewise for some of the other elections. As for moving away from first past the post, it has been discussed several times, certainly down the other end. Indeed, I think that we had a referendum on the matter, and the country decided that it wanted to remain with first past the post.