Clause 6 - Combination of polls
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
6:00 pm
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)
I am coming to the hon. Gentleman's point. He is asking whether a low turnout would affect Ministers' decision. It is difficult to draw conclusions about the views of the public when many people do not vote. Some Conservative Members say that a low turnout would indicate that people do not want an assembly, but other hon. Members might say that it would indicate ascent or acquiescence to the notion of an assembly. One could argue that either way. The views of the public cannot be discerned if people do not vote; only the views of the people who have voted can be measured. That is why we have the advisory referendum for Ministers.