Clause 10 - Legal Proceedings
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
5:00 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
Essentially, we have already debated the clause, so I will be brief. An amendment that was discussed last Tuesday would have effectively neutered the clause. Conservative Members felt that, whatever the precedent, the issues surrounding the clause give cause for concern. It should be noted that the exclusion of access to the courts over queries about the electoral process has only ever occurred under Labour Governments.
There does not seem to be any reasonable logic in excluding access to the courts in matters of dispute over votes cast or the number of ballot papers; it does not feel right. I hope that the Liberal Democrat—I deliberately use the singular—will join Conservative Members in resisting what is essentially an extension of the Government's power. The clause would mean that officers appointed by the commission would be responsible for such matters and it would deny citizens recourse to the courts.