Member

On Amendment 219, in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Pack, concerning proxy voting for local councillors, again, I must respectfully disagree. Voting is the clearest expression of a councillor’s mandate. If a councillor supports or opposes a measure, they need to be part of the debate; the public should be entitled to see them present and witness their vote. Introducing any sort of proxy arrangements risks weakening that essential link. Even the consideration of limited and practical exemptions, much as I may sympathise with the intent behind them, is another slippery slope, and we should be extremely cautious of setting any precedent that could, over time, erode direct democratic accountability.