Electoral System

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:52 pm on 2 June 1998.

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Photo of Andrew MacKinlay Andrew MacKinlay Labour, Thurrock 4:52, 2 June 1998

I differ from Privy Councillors in that I am concerned about not strong government but arbitrary government. There are insufficient brakes on government in our constitution, and we are getting arbitrary government. Electoral reform might mean that Governments—of whatever political complexion—will reflect on that point. For instance, the poll tax was a daft idea, which everyone agreed was stupid but which they had no way of stopping. If there had been a less arbitrary Government with an overwhelming parliamentary majority, that crackpot legislation might not have reached the statute book.