New Clause 14
Greater London Authority Bill
10:45 am

Vacation of office by Mayor following petition and recall ballot

‘After section 16 of the GLA Act 1999 insert—

“16A Vacation of office following petition and recall ballot

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for, or in connection with, requiring the Mayor on receipt of a petition which complies with the provisions of the regulations and a recall ballot of eligible voters in London to vacate office, in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the regulations.

(2) The provision which may be made by regulations under subsection (1) includes provision—

(a) as to the form and content of petitions (including provisions for petitions in electronic form),

(b) as to the minimum number of electors entitled to vote for the Mayor under this Act who must support any petition presented to the Mayor during any period specified in the regulations,

(c) for or in connection with requiring an office of the GLA to publish the number of electors who must support any petition presented to the authority,

(d) as to the way in which electors are to support a petition (including provision enabling electors to support petitions by telephone or by electronic means),

(e) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by the Authority in connection with any petition,

(f) as to the manner in which a petition is to be presented,

(g) as to the verification of any petition,

(h) as to the minimum and maximum number of days in which a ballot should be held,

(i) as to the format and wording of the recall ballot,

(j) as to the date on which, or the time by which, the Mayor must vacate office,

(k) for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in the event of any failure by the Authority to take any action permitted or required by virtue of the regulations, to take that action.

(3) The number of electors mentioned in subsection (2)(b) is to be calculated at such times as may be provided by regulations under this section and (unless such regulations otherwise provide) is to be 10 per cent. of the total number of electors participating in the Mayoral election preceding the date of any petition.

(4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) affects the generality of the power under subsection (1).”.’.—[Michael Gove.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—

The Committee divided: Ayes 6, Noes 9.

Division number 21 - 6 yes, 9 no

Voting yes: Tom Brake, Michael Fabricant, Michael Gove, Greg Hands, Bob Neill, Andrew Pelling

Voting no: Karen Buck, Dawn Butler, Yvette Cooper, Jim Fitzpatrick, Martin Linton, Siobhain McDonagh, Jonathan R Shaw, Andrew Slaughter, Angela Smith

Question accordingly negatived.