New Clause 21
Greater London Authority Bill
12:00 pm
Tom Brake (Shadow Minister, Department for Communities and Local Government; Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)
I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman to see whether he had an overwhelming case for lengthening the standard cycle for the mayoral and GLA elections, because it is a bad principle to vary that cycle. Although the Olympics are a very significant event, many other very significant events could occur which might lead the hon. Gentleman to deploy arguments in favour of a postponement for another reason at some time in the future.
The hon. Gentleman did not present an overwhelming case and we should therefore stick to the principle that if an agreed cycle for elections has been established it should be maintained. He may find that he has been doing the Government’s job, as they may well seek to make this change themselves in the future. The hon. Gentleman might feel that it is more appropriate to let the Government take the risk associated with the decision rather than acting as an outrider for them.
The hon. Gentleman made some interesting points but the case is not so overwhelming that we should be willing to postpone the elections until 2013. If he presses the new clause to a Division, I will not support it.