Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

My Lords, I am one of those who is largely in favour of referendums for important constitutional reforms. The noble Lord, Lord Grocott, is quite right to ask in what circumstances referendums are appropriate and to say that the matter should be considered by the House. The Constitution Committee in 2010 used the word ““fundamental”” in respect of constitutional reforms for which referendums were appropriate. The question arises as to what is meant by fundamental. I accept entirely that a referendum is appropriate in respect of the proposed change in the voting system to AV on the 5 May, as it was appropriate for the European referendum in 1975, which noble Lords will know was the last UK-wide referendum—I am not suggesting that such referendums should take place only every 36 years, or anything like it. However, it is significant that the same Constitution Committee report produced a list—not an exhaustive one—of the type of issue that might be appropriate, in which it included any decision: "““• To abolish the Monarchy;""• To leave the European Union;""• For any of the nations of the UK to secede from the Union;""• To abolish either House of Parliament;""• To change the electoral system for the House of Commons;""• To adopt a written constitution; and""• To change the UK’s system of currency””." The report made clear that that was not intended to be a definitive list.