Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2009

I am grateful for the wide support for this order. I note the disparate views which have been expressed about the system of election in Northern Ireland. Like the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, I thank all those who have been involved in the organisation of elections in Northern Ireland and I congratulate them on enabling free and fair elections. They have done a very fine job. The noble Baroness, Lady Harris, correctly pointed out that the order will make things much simpler for the people of Northern Ireland. All the information that they require on elections will be in one place. It is particularly important that it is clearly stipulated that an elector can vote only once. On transparency, which is very important, we believe that generally it is the case that when electors vote for representatives of political parties they do so because they support that party's position on certain matters in line with the manifesto of that party. We therefore believe that it makes sense for the party to decide who should fill that seat. We have of course reflected on transparency. I am grateful for the strong support of the noble Lord, Lord Browne, and I hear what he says about the anomaly, as he sees it, on independence. However, issues relating to that were set out in the consultation paper and it was widely supported. It is a difficult issue, but as the people of Northern Ireland support the proposal, we believe that it is the right thing to do. The noble Lord, Lord Kilclooney, has an extraordinary record of service to democracy in Northern Ireland. It is remarkable in that since 1965 he has been involved in so many parts of the democratic system there. I, too, think that Northern Ireland should be very proud that it has fraud-free elections. The noble Lord, Lord Bew, suggested that a certain amount of power was being transferred from the people to the political elite. I can see why he has arrived at that view, but we believe that this process is the best way forward. In some countries, there are by-elections under a system of proportional representation. However, we think that this is the best way forward in Northern Ireland, where it is important to have political balance and where all such things are taken into consideration. I am grateful for the support of all Members of the Committee. Motion agreed.