Proportional Representation Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Tom Brake

Main Page: Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington)

Department Debates - View all Tom Brake's debates with the Cabinet Office


Westminster Hall

Proportional Representation

Tom Brake Excerpts

Future Day:
Tue 31st Oct 2017
Westminster Hall
Monday 30th October 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Westminster Hall
Share Debate
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Westminster Hall is an alternative Chamber for MPs to hold debates, named after the adjoining Westminster Hall.

Each debate is chaired by an MP from the Panel of Chairs, rather than the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. A Government Minister will give the final speech, and no votes may be called on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
- Hansard -
- - Excerpts

I will give way first to the hon. Lady.

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
- Hansard -
- - Excerpts

I am grateful for that intervention and I agree wholeheartedly. I suspect that we might disagree on the answer to that challenge, but I absolutely agree that in our parliamentary democracy we have to understand that we are here to represent voters and make sure that their views and voices are heard.

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake
- Hansard -
-

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the strongest arguments against proportional representation and in favour of first past the post is that first past the post guarantees a strong and stable Government—and does he think that argument still stands?

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
- Hansard -
- - Excerpts

I am grateful for that intervention, one that I was wholeheartedly expecting and that is no surprise at all coming from the right hon. Gentleman. Historically, first past the post has delivered, the vast majority of the time, the strong and stable Government that the country needs to lead it.

Return to start of debate - Return to top of page