THRESHOLDS IN REFERENDUMS

Early day motion 747, tabled 2 March 2004 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes that referendums are proposed in October to establish regional assemblies in the North West, the North East and Yorkshire and Humberside and that the Government's decision to press ahead in these regions of England was informed by a soundings exercise designed to gauge enthusiasm for a referendum; notes that the combined electorate in these regions totals 10,841,000 and that 3,069 individuals, or 0.028 per cent. called for a referendum; further notes that the Government has indicated it would not necessarily implement the result of a referendum if the turnout were 'derisory'; believes that major constitutional changes involving, for example, the creation of regional assemblies or the transfer of primary legislative powers to the Welsh Assembly should be validated by the people in a referendum in which at least half the electorate must vote; and urges the Government to reconsider its opposition to the Referendums (Thresholds) Bill, brought in by the honourable Member for Pendle, debated on 27th February, and down to be considered again on Friday 12th March.

Signatures by party: Labour 5, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.