Contributions
632 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDElections Bill: CostsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for those comments. If he has views on the need for increased expenditure, he can raise them with the commission at the next meeting of the…27 Jan 2022HANSARDElections Bill: CostsThe Electoral Commission estimates that its work connected to the Bill will cost £16 million over the next five years. The estimate is based on its understanding of the…27 Jan 2022HANSARDPoints of OrderOn a point of order, Mr Speaker. Twice in the last couple of days I have been confounded in my attempts to represent my constituents by public authorities—[Hon. Members: “Who?”]…14 Dec 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Voter IDThe commission’s independent evaluation of the Government’s pilots, which were held in 2018 and 2019, found no evidence that turnout was significantly affected by the trialled…09 Dec 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Independence of ProcessThe commission’s view is that, as currently drafted, the proposals for a strategy and policy statement are not consistent with its role as an independent regulator. The provisions…09 Dec 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Independence of ProcessThe commission has highlighted weaknesses in the transparency requirements for political donations by unincorporated associations. As the hon. Member says, they are not required…09 Dec 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Voter IDThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that if we are putting barriers in place in order to protect the sanctity of elections, those barriers should not disproportionately…09 Dec 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Independence of ProcessThe commission has made a series of recommendations to improve voter confidence in the regulation of election finance. The proposed new powers for the commission include the power…09 Dec 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [Lords]I am grateful for the advice my hon. Friend has given to me and my constituents on this matter, as he is a neighbouring MP with particular expertise. He will be aware of one…29 Nov 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [Lords]I have listened to my right hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mark Tami) and others. The Minister is waiting for the Competition and Markets Authority report, but is he…29 Nov 2021HANSARDVoter ID: Electoral FraudThe commission collects and annually publishes data from all UK police forces on allegations of electoral fraud. The data show that the UK has low levels of proven fraud. In 2019,…22 Jul 2021HANSARDVoter ID: Electoral ParticipationThe commission’s independent evaluation of the Government’s pilots held in 2018 and 2019 found that a large majority of people already had access to the forms of ID that were used…22 Jul 2021HANSARDVoter ID: Electoral FraudI will indeed convey that. The commission has highlighted that polling station voting in Great Britain remains vulnerable to fraud since there are no checks in place to prevent…22 Jul 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Electoral Commission’s Discharge of FunctionsThe Electoral Commission tells me that effective enforcement when the rules are broken gives voters and campaigners confidence in the system. Where any political party or…22 Jul 2021HANSARDVoter ID: Electoral ParticipationIncreasing participation is one of the Electoral Commission’s core missions. It tells me that it undertakes significant public awareness activity ahead of major polls to ensure…22 Jul 2021HANSARDElections Bill: Electoral Commission’s Discharge of FunctionsAny changes to the commission’s accountability are a matter for the UK Parliament through statute and not the Speaker’s Committee. The Elections Bill was introduced to the House…22 Jul 2021HANSARDChannel 4: PrivatisationI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I have a presumption against privatising successful public assets, simply because among Conservatives there is an…21 Jul 2021HANSARDChannel 4: PrivatisationIt is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Fovargue. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Dame Angela Eagle) on her outstanding introduction. I…21 Jul 2021HANSARDMagdalene LaundriesWe know that girls as young as 12 were sent to the mother and baby homes and the Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland and that the research report revealed the painful neglect…21 Jul 2021HANSARDMagdalene LaundriesWhat recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the research report “Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland”, published in…21 Jul 2021