Localism Bill

Yes, I would. Although it is important that local authorities should not get involved in party-political campaigning, the present code of conduct on local authority publicity is too restrictive. Local authorities ought to be able to campaign in a general way more easily and widely than they can at the moment if they believe that what they are campaigning for is in the interests of the people that they serve and represent. However, that is a wider issue. We have the code as it is and I do not think that there is any prospect of it being changed much in the near future. However, it will be very difficult to find satisfactory wording that stops local authorities intervening in elections and political matters, but allows them to defend their well thought-out and agreed policies and strategies against hostile attack. This matter has to be further discussed and considered and the various organisations involved, including the LGA and the Electoral Commission, have to be involved in that. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 128X withdrawn. Amendments 128Y to 128AA not moved. Clause 53 agreed. Amendment 129 not moved. Clause 54 : Voting in and conduct of local referendums Clause 54 : Voting in and conduct of local referendums Amendments 129A to 129CZA not moved. Clause 54 agreed. Clause 55 : Consequences of local referendum Clause 55 : Consequences of local referendum Amendments 129CA to 129E not moved. Clause 55 agreed. Clause 56 : Application to parish councils Clause 56 : Application to parish councils Debate on whether Clause 56 should stand part of the Bill.