A spanner in the works for Devonwall Bill?
Labour peers inflicted a four-vote defeat on the Devonwall Bill last night, over the timing of the proposed referendum on the Alternative Vote system. The amendment carried in the Lords means the referendum could be held as late as October 2011, rather than 5th May as the government wants. The Bill must now return to the House of Commons where a whipped government vote will send it back to the Lords again: classic ping-pong. Conservative and Lib Dem peers see this as irritating and inconvenient, rather than fatal - the prospect looms of some very late night Parliamentary sittings in the run-up to Christmas.
I'm ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 7th Dec 2010, AccurateChronometer wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 8th Dec 2010, The Prime Minister wrote:I would rather it be in May when the Liberal Democrats are at the nadir of their popularity. I have always favoured PR on the basis of true PR but the AV system will result in undemocratic results because many people will not opt for a second choice and if they do it will almost certainly favour The Liberal Democrats.
Hope you are well Graham.
David from Gunnislake
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)