Alex White (Labour)

A bogus comparison, which I acknowledge is rhetorical, is made between the direct electoral college in the universities and the indirect college by which Members are elected by councillors. That does not compare like with like. Senator David Norris and other Members know that. There is a direct electorate in the universities and an indirect electorate of councillors. It is not unprecedented across the world to have an electoral college of persons who are themselves already elected. It is not new. There are plenty of precedents where parliaments and presidents are elected on the basis of an electoral college comprising persons who are themselves already elected.