CHANGE IN MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS
- Session: 2005-06
- Date tabled: 25.05.2005
- Primary sponsor:
- Sponsors:
That this House expresses its relief at the transfer of ministerial responsibility for local elections away from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the Department for Constitutional Affairs; but observes that this is the fourth Whitehall department with responsibility for local election administration since 2001; following the labelling of the UK as a `banana republic' by an election court, believes that this move is a sign of no confidence in the ability of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to run elections in a safe, secure and efficient manner; regrets that the Government's constant fiddling with the constitution has undermined the UK's long-standing reputation as a beacon for democracy and fair play; and calls on the Lord Chancellor to use the opportunity which this change provides to make a statement in line with Electoral Commission recommendations abandoning all-postal balloting and accepting individual voter registration.