PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES - United Kingdom Parliament

1515 UK Elected Representatives 26 MARCH 2013
1516
(Disclosure of Party Membership)
[Mr David Hanson]
a real problem for our democracy, because the values
that influence parties might well influence the electorate,
and if those values are hidden, the electorate might vote
blind on those issues.
I have raised this issue with the Government and had
hoped for a positive response. Sadly, the Parliamentary
Secretary, Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for Norwich
North (Miss Smith),has confirmed:
“The Government has no plans to require those wishing to
stand as independent candidates to disclose any political party
membership they might hold at the time of nomination. It is for
prospective candidates to decide whether they wish to stand
independently or on behalf of a registered political party.”—[Official
Report, 21 November 2012; Vol. 553, c. 498W.]
That is a shame, but I hope that the Bill will be the start
of a process that will shed light on this issue and allow
the Government to come to a conclusion whereby
independents will have to declare party membership if
they hold it.
My proposal would add transparency to our democracy
and help ensure the public have the information they
need to make an informed choice. It will not add undue
stress or expense to the election procedure and could be
done simply, without the need for a particularly big
shake-up of electoral procedures. This small bit of
information could go someway to ensuring that voters
get what they think they are voting for, rather than for
what they are actually voting for without realising it.
My proposal would add one small, but important,
dimension to the system. It would require that if someone
stands as an independent, or under any label, without
declaring a party membership, action would need to be
taken. I propose that the election be declared void, the
member disqualified and a by-election called. I ask for
no further penalty than that. I simply ask that those
individuals have the opportunity to face the electorate
under their true colours.
I believe that people should be public and proud
about being members of the Labour party, and should
not hide behind the banner of independence, if they
hold a party membership. The Bill will provide some
transparency. I am sure, as I have said, that there are
examples across all parties, so I hope that this is not a
party political point. I want transparency for all members.
We should be proud of our democracy and how our
elections operate. The suppression of such information
is not good for our democratic system. I hope and
believe that the House will share that view. I am pleased
to have secured cross-party support from Liberal Democrat,
Conservative and Labour Members, and I hope that
nobody has anything to fear by it. I commend the
motion to the House.
2.54 pm
Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): I had
not intended to participate in this debate, but having
heard the right hon. Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson), I
am driven to speak against the motion. I seek not to
divide the House, but to put down a marker that the Bill
would not have unanimous support. It would be a
regulatory Bill cutting across the tradition of independence,
particularly in parish and town councils, where people
should not have to declare their party allegiance. It is
perfectly legitimate that somebody stands for election
to a parish or town council on the basis that they are
independent, even if they are a member of a political
party.
The Bill implies that people who belong to political
parties belong only to one political party. I agree with
the right hon. Gentleman’s argument, which he put
forward strongly, about the Liberal Democrats being
duplicitous—I have no quarrel with him on that—but
let us think of students. You, Mr Speaker, were once a
student. Many of them join three or more political
parties at the freshers fare in order to see which has the
most attractive membership. That is a perfectly legitimate
objective for many people who join political parties. It
would be very confusing to the electorate if one of
those students was to declare that they were a member
of four political parties. Where would that leave the
electorate?
Having heard what the right hon. Gentleman said
and having not intended to participate in the debate, all
I can say is that I wish him well with the Bill, but I shall
be opposing it in due course.
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered
That Mr David Hanson, Ian Lucas, John Cryer, Rosie
Cooper, Wayne David, Angela Smith, Sir Bob Russell,
Mr Philip Hollobone, Craig Whittaker, Mr Virendra
Sharma, Andrew Gwynne and Karl Turner present the
Bill.
Mr David Hanson accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on
Friday 3 May 2013, and to be printed (Bill 155).
Business without Debate
DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing
Order 118(6) and Order of 4 March),
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY
That this House authorises the Secretary of State to undertake
to pay, and to pay by way of financial assistance under section 8
of the Industrial Development Act 1982, in respect of the Start-Up
Loans scheme, sums exceeding £10 million and up to a cumulative
total of £15.5 million.—(Mr Swayne.)
Question agreed to.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing
Order 118(6),
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
That the draft Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation)
Act 1992 (Amendment) Order 2013, which was laid before this
House on 24 January, be approved.—(Mr Swayne.)
The House divided: Ayes 224, Noes 128.
Division No. 200]
Afriyie, Adam
Aldous, Peter
Amess, Mr David
Andrew, Stuart
Arbuthnot, rh Mr James
Bacon, Mr Richard
Baker, Norman
AYES
Baker, Steve
Baldry, Sir Tony
Baldwin, Harriett
Baron, Mr John
Beith, rh Sir Alan
Bellingham, Mr Henry
Benyon, Richard
[2.58 pm