General Election (Leaders’ Debate) Bill Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

General Election (Leaders’ Debate) Bill

Matt Warman Excerpts
Friday 15th March 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Bone Portrait Mr Bone
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I thank my hon. Friend for that point, but if I remember correctly the campaign for the last general election, the snap election, lasted seven weeks, in which time there were no Prime Minister’s questions.

The commission should be set up as soon as practicable. It would be fully independent and we would need some time to appoint the right people, so I would expect it to be set up within six months of the Bill becoming an Act of Parliament.

Matt Warman Portrait Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness) (Con)
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Would the commission consider what sanctions would be applied if leaders did not take part in these compulsory debates? I know my hon. Friend has had an up-and-down relationship with our current Prime Minister, but he is surely not suggesting she would need to go to prison if she said no.