Clause 52 - Approval in ballot
Local Government Bill
10:15 am
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
This is a large group of amendments. We now come to the interesting subject of ballots. I suspect that we will have to rehearse the arguments that we had in relation to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill all over again. I make no excuse for that. If people are to go to the trouble of having a ballot, it should have legitimacy. After all, that is what democracy is all about. Amendment No. 114 is intended to facilitate the other amendments in the group. I will not speak to the two amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Bedford, because I am sure that he will do that very adequately himself. I will simply speak to my amendments.
When I read amendment No. 74 late last night, I wondered why I had tabled it. I think that it is intended to probe and ascertain what happens when somebody occupies more than one premises. Will they be allowed more than one vote? That is a pretty simple and straightforward question.