Lords deal ends AV debate deadlock

A deal has been reached between Tory and Labour peers to end the deadlock which threatened to block a May 5 referendum on changing the Westminster voting system, Lords leader Lord Strathclyde has said.

The marathon committee stage of the Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Bill will conclude on Wednesday after Lord Strathclyde promised a “package of concessions” during a statement to peers.

Ministers have accused Labour of filibustering to delay the legislation, which is being debated for a 15th day in committee.

The Bill, which cuts the number of MPs from 650 to 600, must become law by February 16 for the referendum on adopting the alternative vote (AV) system to take place as planned on May 5.

The Government had threatened to attempt to take the unprecedented step of guillotining discussions on the Bill if agreement could not be reached.

But Lord Strathclyde told peers: “I’m delighted to be able to inform the House that there is now agreement in the usual channels (the party whips) of a timetable for completing committee stage.

“We have had a series of productive discussions as a result of which the usual channels have agreed that committee stage will be completed by the end of business on Wednesday this week. This is within the time that has already been scheduled and is indicated on the order paper.

“I sincerely hope there is no longer any need for me to ask the House collectively to come to any resolution on how proceedings on this Bill should be regulated.”

He added: “During committee stage so far the Government has held meaningful discussions with the Opposition and with a number of other members of the House, this is in addition to debate in the Chamber.

“As a result the Government will be bringing forward a package of concessions at report stage of the Bill and I’m sure that the whole House will welcome that.”