Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 15 October 2007.

Speaker’s Conference: Voting Systems

Question: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for not giving a birthday present to the noble Baroness. I tell my noble friend, the noble Baroness and her colleagues that the introduction of proportional representation in Scotland has been an absolute tragedy. We have seen chaos, confusion and cuts. At local government level, we see the Liberal Democrats in an unholy alliance with the Scottish National Party. Will my noble friend assure us that, because of this experience, we will stick to the tried and tested system of first past the post, which has given us stability in this country for decades and centuries?

Answer: My Lords, I have a great deal of sympathy with what my noble friend has to say. However, the Scottish system cannot be so bad given that it managed to elect him.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 695 c527
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Electoral systems Reform Speaker's Conference on Parliamentary Representation
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk