Electoral Administration Bill

I am baffled by the argument put forward by the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, because I cannot see what other organisation could take on this responsibility. It is evident that there is a great deal of electoral experience in this Committee. Indeed, many of us have been consumers of the electoral process. I did a quick calculation and I have contested 13 elections of various sorts: eight parliamentary general elections, one parliamentary by-election, three county council elections and one European parliamentary election. My hit rate was not that good: I won only six, but that is not bad for a Liberal and a Liberal Democrat. We all have a great deal of experience. One thing that has come through in my lifetime in politics has been the frequent lack of authoritative, credible guidance in elections. Very often returning officers, electoral registration officers and the whole team have been left on their own and have not had access to a responsible organisation to give them advice and guidance. I endorse what the noble Baroness said about the Electoral Commission. It has settled down remarkably quickly and has gained a great deal of credibility. It has integrity and is much respected. Its independence is well recognised. It has achieved that remarkably quickly and we should recognise that. During its early years, it has managed to deal with some difficult issues, as the noble Baroness said. So I am finding it difficult to see what other organisation we can turn to to act as CORE keeper. I understand that the commission is prepared to take on that function. The advice that we were given is that it is, recognising that it is probably unique in having the appropriate experience. It has also made it clear that it recognises that it will be answerable and accountable for this function, as for its other functions, to the Speaker’s Committee, which has also shown itself to be well up to performing its important function. I am very concerned about the way in which the opposition to this clause has been put forward because the clause is only permissive. It is not stating that the Electoral Commission must be designated for this purpose, only that it may be the Electoral Commission.