Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

Things would be a great deal easier for the Government and the Conservatives if there were proportionality in the voting system. That would be fairer for the voter and simplify the legislation substantially, and some of the issues that have been highlighted would not have arisen. However, given that we have been unsuccessful in persuading Members to add such a provision to the Bill, we do not dissent from the Government’s proposals and think that the direction that they are going in is appropriate. Nevertheless, I wish to discuss our amendment No. 265. It is simple: it proposes that any order to bring together local elections and European elections should be made at least a year before it is due to take effect. We discussed in Committee the concept of bringing together those two dates, and the Minister explained the Government’s thinking. I have subsequently received a letter from the Electoral Commission—I am unsure whether an identical letter has been sent to the Minister. Its author states:"““I am writing in response to the comments you made during the second reading debate and committee stages...I would like to take this opportunity to outline the Electoral Commission’s concerns””" about the new clause. The letter goes on to say that the new clause allows the Secretary of State"““to combine local elections with a European parliamentary election by statutory order.""We believe that provision should be made on the face of the Bill for the Order moving the date of the election to have to be made at least a year before it is due to take effect.””" The Electoral Commission gives two reasons for that:"““We are concerned that without such provision, present or future Governments may be able to gain political advantage by moving the date of the elections at a later stage.""We are also concerned that late notice of a change of election date would not give electoral administrators sufficient time to be prepared for a combined election.””"