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841 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I wish to speak in this relatively short debate to say that these Benches start from the same point as the noble Lord, Lord Collins: we do not understand what problem…17 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillWill the noble Viscount take that a bit further? It is not just after the general election has been called; the Prime Minister will now have the sole power of calling the general…17 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I wish to follow the themes that the noble Lord, Lord Kerslake, and other noble Lords have alluded to. I came to this Bill slightly worried but with open ears to hear…17 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillI know that it is very late, so I shall be quick. The Minister skipped over this, and it is quite key. There has been no analysis of the impact of this policy on voter turnout.…17 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, listening to this debate, it is quite obvious that some groups of people are less likely to have access to the voter ID that will be required. We should know much more…17 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, it is slightly disappointing that the Committee is having to debate this issue in this way. Will the Government listen? This is not a party-political issue; it is an…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillOrganisations which at the moment spend below £20,000, which will now go down to £700, will be affected. My question is: how many UK-based organisations that will spend between…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillBefore the Minister sits down, on the £700 limit, have the Government done any assessment of how many UK-based organisations that spend between £700 and the existing amount of…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I wish to speak in support of the probing Amendment 35 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman. We have to ask what my noble friend asked. What is this trying to…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I too rise to support the probing amendment in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Collins. Things are moving fast and this Bill needs to keep up, particularly over…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillThe Minister talks about inuendo; can he say which innuendo? What I spoke about is on the record: it is a clear donation and the links between MME and Putin’s state-backed oil…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillIt is not the Electoral Commission but the Government’s own impact assessment which says that the returning officers do not have to buy from the list which will be provided by the…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillI must press the Minister here. Following on from what the noble Lord, Lord Harris, said, the impact assessment is very clear. Under this policy, there are no direct costs because…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillClearly, the Minister has not read the impact assessment. It makes it clear that the list will be provided but says: “nor is there a requirement for” returning officers “to choose…15 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillCould the noble Lord answer the second point: why, regardless of any change, would you wish to change something without any consultation? That is a key issue. What would stop…10 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillI point out to the Minister that he has just spent 10 minutes doing exactly what he has told noble Lords not to do. Now that we are in Committee, will he come to the substance of…10 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillI must challenge this. The Minister keeps saying that there is not a power. Can he explain new Section 4A(3)(b) in Clause 14, which states specifically that the statement may also…10 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Meacher, for tabling these amendments and setting an example for all of us in Committee to present our amendments with such brevity in…10 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, I will follow on from the points made very powerfully by the noble Lord, Lord Eatwell. In effect, these clauses will empower the regulated over the regulator. I listened…10 Mar 2022HANSARDElections BillMy Lords, it is interesting to follow the comments of the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, who says that this is a strategic statement that is there for five years and not for…10 Mar 2022