Clause 52 - Approval in ballot
Local Government Bill
10:45 am
Mr Robert Syms (Poole, Conservative)
I spent a number of hours on the Committee that considered the City of London (Ward Elections) Act 2002, which was about a business vote for the City, so I have already dealt with several of the problems. A register will have to be drawn up, and there will have to be a qualifying date. Given that some cities have a high turnover of businesses and individuals, it is sensible to have a ballot close to the qualifying date for registration, otherwise that register will be out of date and the electorate will have changed. What is the qualifying date, and how long after that is the ballot? How long will the ballot be open—a day, a week, a month, a year, or even five years? That is relevant because people take time to make a judgment before voting.