Plenty of time to sort out those pesky peers
My thanks to the Electoral Commission for clarifying that Monday's government defeat in the House of Lords need not be too much of a calamity for those who want the Alternative Vote referendum on 5th May.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000 sets the statutory framework for such things, and requires a minimum of 10 weeks before polling. This means the Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Bill must gain Royal Assent before 24th February for a 5th May AV poll.
I'm ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Dec 2010, freethinkerUK wrote:Those 'pesky peers' need sorting out that's for sure. The House of Lords must be a fully elected chamber and therefore accountable to the people. Along with this goes the replacement of the monarchy with an elected head of state. Until this happens we cannot truly call ourselves a democracy.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 9th Dec 2010, AccurateChronometer wrote:Perhaps you will also demonstrate some additional initiative, Mr Smith, by asking the Electoral Commission, in the light of Mr Lavery's recent revelatory letter to Deputy Prime Minister Clegg the contents of which are applicable to all Electoral Registration and Election Returning Officers across the UK, what they are doing to ensure individual voters are only registered once across the UK and only cast one vote each in such a referendum (should such a referendum come to pass whether in May or, further to Monday's HoL successful amendment, later).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)