Government of Wales Bill

No, because I have only six more minutes. In New Zealand, public opinion research conducted by the independent review committee appointed to examine the electoral system found:"““One key criticism was that it was possible for MPs to be defeated in electorate contests but returned to the House through their position on the list.””" In New Brunswick, the independent commission endorsed the ban on dual candidacy, saying:"““The Commission heard that in some jurisdictions where candidates are able to run simultaneously on both ballots, voters are displeased with the case where a candidate is not successful in a single member constituency, but is elected anyway by virtue of being placed on the top of a party’s list.””" That is some of the evidence that is available, but there is more. My right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) quoted Lord Richard on people not liking losers becoming winners. More than that, Lord Carlile, the predecessor of the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), said:"““I am sure that many in Wales will welcome . . . the removal of the absurd dual candidacy opportunity.””—[Official Report, House of Lords, 15 June 2005; Vol. 672, c. 1217.]" What about a Conservative peer? Lord Crickhowell, the former Tory Secretary of State for Wales, said:"““The present arrangements are really pretty indefensible””.—[Official Report, House of Lords, 15 June 2005; Vol. 672, c. 1216.]" A wide range of opinion across the political spectrum recognises that it is wrong.