Local Referendums Local Government Reorganisation 2021-04-22
2021-04-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
There is ongoing debate about the merits of local referendums to inform reorganization in local government.
What assessment has the Electoral Commission made of the potential merits of using local referendums to inform local government reorganisation?
There are mechanisms in law for holding referendums on a number of local matters. Decisions on whether to deploy such a mechanism are political and not for the commission. It has therefore made no assessment of the merits of using local referendums to inform local government reorganisation.
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Assessment & feedback
The Electoral Commission's assessment of the potential merits of using local referendums
Decisions On Deploying Such A Mechanism Are Political And Not For The Commission.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Somerset County Council has requested a consultation using citizen space, which is not a proper consultation and anyone can participate. The questioner suggests a referendum as the only way to hear what Somerset residents truly want.
We have a problem in this country when a body like Somerset County Council, which wants to go unitary, has asked the Government to do a consultation using the citizen space, which is not a consultation—anybody in the world can take part. Surely a referendum is the only way to truly hear what the people of Somerset want to say—under the auspices of the Electoral Commission, so that we have proper democracy, proper accountability? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that that is the way that government should work? Is that not the way the House should work?
Under current legislation, local authority accounting officers would be responsible for running local referendums. The commission's role would be limited to providing guidance to accounting officers on some aspects of the administration of local referendums, particularly where they are concerned with other events. If we were to achieve what the hon. Gentleman was hoping for, I suspect and fear that a change in legislation would be required.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner's suggestion on how government should work through referendums under Electoral Commission supervision
A Change In Legislation Would Be Required To Achieve The Hon. Gentleman'S Hope.
Response accuracy