Clause 12
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
5:45 pm
Phil Woolas (Minister of State (Local Government & Community Cohesion), Department for Communities and Local Government; Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)
I am grateful for the opportunity to put this on the record once again. I recall being woken early one morning, last summer, to respond to a Conservative party press release that the BBC read at 6.30 in the morning. “Thanks,” was my response. Of course, under any circumstances, the elections will take place this year. It is a serious point—apart from being a point-scoring one—because in previous reviews there has been uncertainty about whether elections would be necessary or desirable and people were then saying, “What’s the point?” That is unfair to the public and particularly unfair to the people who may be standing. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to explain that—and for reminding me of that summer morning.