The ayes to the right, 310.
The noes to the left, 310.
[Laughter]
[Background - 'Casting vote']
The ayes to the right, 310.
The noes to the left, 310.
Order.
In accordance
with precedent
and on the principle
that important decisions
should not be taken
except by a majority,
I cast my vote with the noes.
[Cheering]
So the noes have it.
The noes have it.
By casting vote, 311 to 310.
That is the proper way
in which to proceed.
The rationale – I say this as much
for the benefit of new members
as of others – for the exercise
of the casting vote is,
as I have said, that it is not
for the chair to create a majority
that doesn't otherwise exist.
Now, the way in which
the casting vote is exercised
does also depend on the stage
at which a matter is being aired.
So, for example, it would be
exercised differently, or could be
and probably would be,
on second reading of a bill
where there is an important principle
of encouraging further debate.
It might then be used to send a bill
into committee, where it is not going
to get to the statute book
straight away.
But if it's the final stage of the bill,
the casting vote would be against.
In a situation in which a decision
would be made that a day
would be allocated
for particular business,
I judge that it is not right for me
to make that decision if the House
hasn't, by a clear majority, done so.
I hope that that's clear
and generally acceptable.
