By-elections should be held at convenience of the public, not parties – Carmichael

12.01.00am GMT Tue 23rd Feb 2010

Commenting on today’s [Tuesday] Electoral Commission report on the Glasgow North East by-election, which recommends that the UK Parliament reviews the procedures for calling by-elections to ensure voters can elect a new MP promptly, Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary, Alistair Carmichael said: “By-elections should be called for the convenience of the public, and not for the political advantage of the party holding the seat.

“Reform of this is long overdue. Frankly, however, I doubt we will see any commitment from Labour to act on this. Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.”