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1,912 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The clause gives effect to schedule 9, which contains minor and consequential amendments resulting from part 5 of the Bill. The new intimidation disqualification order must be…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The clause helps to interpret and clarify two terms that are used frequently in this part of the Bill. The first is “disqualification order”, which refers to the new five-year…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. If he already knows what I am going to say, and if we have had this debate multiple times, it raises the question of why he chose to…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The new disqualification order, which we have already debated, disqualifies offenders from being elected to various offices. This clause ensures that this disqualification applies…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The previous two clauses extended the protection of the new disqualification order to, broadly, candidates and elected officeholders. However, we must not stop there. Campaigners,…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)Clause 29 builds on the previous clause and sets out another group of people whom the new disqualification order will protect: holders of elected office, such as—but not limited…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The new disqualification order will be applied only when intimidatory offences are motivated by hostility towards certain groups of people. This clause defines the first group…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)While those in public life are often the targets of intimidation and abuse, I regret to say that they can also be the perpetrators of intimidation and abuse. For example, it is…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)As I have already set out, spending limits are an integral part of the political finance framework. They ensure a level of fairness between parties and campaigners. Controls are…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I have answered that question already. The amendment, as drafted, does not achieve the aims set out in the accompanying explanatory memorandum. Although the memorandum suggests…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I have already given way multiple times and we need to proceed. There are other more important reasons why the amendment simply cannot pass. Under the terms of the amendment,…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I do not think so at all. In the previous clause, we made the situation equal for everybody. The Opposition are talking as if there is a secret conspiracy where everybody knows,…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)Third party campaigners are subject to limits on their controlled expenditure in the periods leading up to parliamentary elections in the UK, including devolved elections. The…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)Third party campaigners must currently register with the Electoral Commission before they spend £20,000 in England and £10,000 in any of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The hon. Lady knows that I cannot answer any questions about when elections are forthcoming. That does not change the premise of our argument. I do not know; she does not know;…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)Yes, but the fact is they are not very common. Every single one of us in this room is in the same situation. I was elected in 2017. I did not know that a snap election was going…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I would say that all third party campaigning organisations need to be mindful of their spending. I believe that snap elections are a rarity, given what happened in 2017. They do…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I am not giving way again on that point. Third party campaigning groups will not have any special intelligence. People will need to take that into account when they are…26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)The fact is that we all have a fairly good idea of when an election will be. Although snap elections can be called, the fact is that everybody will be in the same situation.26 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Eleventh sitting)I will come to that point in a moment. Charities can choose to spend less than £10,000 in the period before an election. The clause is drafted so as to increase transparency by…26 Oct 2021