Election Law Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Lord Rennard
Main Page: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Rennard's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Election Law
Lord Rennard Excerpts(1 day, 12 hours ago)
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Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)
I think I have made the Government’s position on the 2026 elections very clear from the Dispatch Box. It is our intention that all elections during 2026 will go ahead.
Lord Rennard (LD)
My Lords, the Representation of the People Acts sought to create a level playing field for constituency campaigning, but they no longer do so as a result of the legislation of 2000, which brought in national party limits. These limits were suddenly increased by 80% just before the last general election. Will the forthcoming legislation address the problem that a party contesting every constituency could spend £35 million in 70 target seats—half a million pounds per constituency—thereby driving a coach of horses through the principles of the Representation of the People Acts?
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)
I am sure that the noble Lord’s party, along with all other political parties, will be invited to comment on the elections Bill when it is in draft, and I am sure they will do so.