Representation of the People Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 November 1968.

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Photo of Mr James Callaghan Mr James Callaghan The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee, Treasurer, Labour Party 12:00, 18 November 1968

No, I have already given way enough.

I have been handed the document which was put out by the Labour candidate at a recent by-election. It says: Do you know that several hundred people who reside outside the Leeds boundary but have business interests in Leeds have a vote in City Ward? This candidate was fighting City Ward. He then set out where they live: Some of them live as far away as Renfrewshire. Surrey, London, Oxford, Kent and Warwickshire. Others live at Bridlington, Knaresborough, Selby and Otley. Is it not sensible that the residents on a housing estate in Leeds should be represented by someone living in Leeds rather than someone living in Oxfordshire or Renfrewshire?