text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Political Parties and Elections Bill - to throw out - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  The majority of MPs voted against throwing out the [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/141/08141.i-ii.html Political Parties and Elections Bill] by rejecting the motion:[1]
  
  **This House declines to give a Second Reading to the Political Parties and Elections Bill, because it 
  * imposes arbitrary and partisan new local spending rules at the end of a Parliament, which are designed to give an unfair advantage to Labour hon. Members in marginal seats in the forthcoming general election, 
  * proposes the commencement of vague trigger rules at Royal Assent, before Electoral Commission guidance has been produced, in contravention of the Government Code of Practice on Guidance on Regulation, 
  * contains new powers of entry into people's homes which risk undermining public confidence in giving to political parties, 
  * imposes disproportionate additional costs on local constituency associations and voluntary political parties, fails to tackle growing concern over electoral fraud, and 
  * lacks a comprehensive package of proposals to restore trust in politics, which would include the introduction of individual voter registration and an across-the-board cap on donations covering individuals, business and the trade unions.
  
  Following the rejection of this proposed  motion, the MPs then voted again to give the Bill its Second Reading.[2]
  
  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-10-20a.41.1#g53.0 Francis Maude MP], House of Commons, 20 October 2008
  * [2] [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-10-20&number=276 Division 276], House of Commons, 20 October 2008
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  