Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages

The Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill [HL] received its first reading in the House of Lords on 28 June 2017, and is scheduled to have its second reading on 15 December 2017.

The Bill contains one operative clause. It would compel the Secretary of State to introduce a bill to provide that local authorities in England must hold a referendum on introducing proportional representation for local government elections if certain conditions are met. These conditions are that there has been a petition to the Government or to the United Kingdom Parliament signed by at least 10 percent of the electors in the local area, requesting a referendum; and that the local government body for that area has passed a resolution that a referendum should be held.