HL Deb 03 July 2001 vol 626 c36WA
Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the Lord Privy Seal that it is a fallacy to suggest that democracy is about "the will of the people to be paramount" (H.L. Deb., 21 June, col. 113). [HL73]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Government believe the necessary institutions and safeguards of a mature democracy extend well beyond those circumstances where it is appropriate for the will of the people to be paramount on every occasion and issue. For example, we must have clear laws and independent and objective means of administering them; anything else would risk lynch law and mob rule.