Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: UK Rebate, Prime Minister’s Health and Electoral Commission.
UK Rebate
Asked if the UK Budget rebate had been discussed during the Prime Minister’s meeting with Mr. Barosso this morning, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said they had looked ahead to issues on the current EU agenda, especially the council meeting in June and our Presidency which starts in July. With regards to future financing, the PMS said there would be a Foreign Ministers meeting on Sunday which would look at the issue.
Asked again if the rebate was discussed, the PMS said in that it had been talked about very general terms, but that the Sunday meeting would deal with it more thoroughly.
Asked if the Commission had a view about the rebate, the PMS said it was up to them to speak about it.
Asked if during the meeting, the French referendum had been discussed, and what would happen if there was a "no" vote, the PMS said it had been discussed as part of the wide EU Agenda, and we were not about to speculate on what was going to happen.
Prime Minister’s Health
Asked for an update on the Prime Minister’s back, the PMS said the Prime Minister was fine and was working as usual.
Asked if he had fallen off his running machine, the PMS said the Prime Minister was not sure how he had hurt his back, but possibly whilst he was in the gym.
Asked why had the Prime Minister said he was "fighting fit" during the election when he "clearly" was not, the PMS said that just because he had a sore back did not mean he was not fit.
Asked if the Prime Minister had been told to not exercise too much over the coming weeks, the PMS said it was a matter for the Prime Minister and his doctor.
Asked if the Prime Minister needed to lie down for meetings, the PMS said he was able to walk and talk and carry on as usual.
Asked if he would be able to attend Leo’s Birthday party, the PMS said she did not have any details about the party.
Electoral Commission
Asked if we were going to accept the Electoral Commission’s recommendations, the PMS said we were going to consider them. The Electoral Administration Bill would shortly be introduced. This would put forward a number of changes to the present system, as we wanted to ensure that elections were continued to be run in a safe and secure manner.
Asked if the integrity of the voting system was a cross party consensus or was it imposed by the Government’s view on it, the PMS said we wanted to ensure that the arrangements put forward were as safe and secure as possible.
Asked if that meant the Prime Minister was open to ideas from the other political parties, the PMS said when we had brought forward the Bill, no doubt the other parties would make their own views known. If they wanted to put forward amendments, then there would be a discussion in the House. The PMS said that Parliament was where such issues were discussed best for a consensus to be reached.
Asked if the Government was opposed to individual voter registration, the PMS said we thought having one form per household, with all the names from that household listed was easier to administer and was more effective. The PMS explained that it was easier to see at a glance who was registered from each household if they were all listed on the same form. Individuals would have to sign each form, and give their date of birth.
Put to her that the Electoral Commission had said that all postal voting should not be pursued, and the Opposition had demanded that the Government rule out all postal voting in local elections next year, and was that something the Government was going to do, the PMS directed the journalist to the DCA for further information regarding next year’s elections.
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