Wales Bill

Debate between Chris Bryant and Lord Hain

Monday 31st March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hain]

That intervention interests me. Is the hon. Gentleman saying that whoever stands for whichever party, even if they are deeply opposed by the particular constituents whom they seek to represent, cannot be challenged because they are standing on a party label?

[Chris Bryant]

Is not the point also that Wales is not the only place in the world that has a top-up system to enable diversity within the legislature, but it will be the only place in the world where that practice of standing both on the list and for the first-past-post seat is used?

[Mr Hain]

I bow to my hon. Friend’s superior experience and knowledge. I think that the system applies in Scotland.

[Chris Bryant]

It does in Scotland, but I mean outside the United Kingdom.

[Mr Hain]

It may well be the case that it exists outside the United Kingdom.