tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post6302202844208889300..comments2024-03-28T22:32:50.562+00:00Comments on Liberal England: Roger Helmer and Rupert Matthews latestJonathan Calderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-30424497807788204582012-01-05T23:07:52.461+00:002012-01-05T23:07:52.461+00:00I was surprised by this argument but have checked ...I was surprised by this argument but have checked the regulations (European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 1999 as amended several times since). When there is a vacancy, this is the sequence of events.<br />1) EP informs Secretary of State of vacancy.<br />2) S of S informs relevant Returning Officer.<br />3)RO contacts next on party list.<br />4) That person replies willing and able AND (here's the rub)provides a certificate from the party's nominating officer that he or she "may be returned...".<br />5) If person can do that, RO declares him or her elected. If not, RO asks next person until one can.<br />6) If no-one can, then RO tells S of S who calls a bye-election.<br />Nowhere do the Acts or regulations define when a party may refuse a certificate, so in fact the party has a veto. Hence Helmer's problem. Thanks to Jack Straw for cocking things up as usual.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03281231409865527752noreply@blogger.com