Political Parties and Elections Bill

My Lords, there are two debates going on. The first is whether the amendment is in substance correct, whatever nitpicking one can indulge in. The other is that we have a duty to give the other place a chance to vote on this issue. If I may take the liberty of pretending to be a member of the public, if asked, as a man in the street, whether I would approve of a wealthy foreigner—not even a member of the EU—paying a huge sum of money to one political party in the run-up to a general election, and it being acceptable under the rules for influence to be wielded in that way, the only possible answer would be, "What an absolutely outrageous suggestion—of course not. Surely that’s not allowed". One would have to say, "Well, as a matter of fact, it is at the moment. We are talking about an amendment to stop it being possible". I am sorry to fantasise, but I believe this is how people would react: "Well, I am all with it". On the second issue, we now want to give the other place—we call it the House of Commons out in the street—a chance to vote on this portion of the Bill. The man in the street might say, "I thought this Bill came to you from the House of Commons. It must have thought about this". One’s response would be, "No, I’m afraid I have to enlighten you on that point. It often does not consider very important parts—sometimes great chunks—of an Act of Parliament. The House never had the opportunity to debate this proposal. We are not suggesting chicanery. It somehow came out through the machinery; there was no chance of debate". My ideal man in the street would say, "That is ridiculous. Give them a chance".