Coroners and Justice Bill

I, too, support the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham. "Votes for felons" is no doubt not a popular slogan or campaign but it is an important one. The Minister should understand that the Government’s current position is simply a national disgrace, given the importance of the democratic rights we are talking about, the clarity of the judgment of the European Court that the absolute ban is inconsistent with our international obligations and the extraordinary length of time that has now elapsed since the European Court gave its judgment. The Minister, on behalf of the Government, should understand that this is a serious stain on the record of this Government. It is about time that something was done about it. I personally hope that the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, will bring his amendment back on Report. If he does, I will certainly vote for it.