Contributions
380 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)To reassure Members, we have worked very closely with the Northern Ireland Office, as well as other devolved Governments, in the development of the Bill. Elections in Northern…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)We could go over and over this point. The Government have set out, in some detail, their objectives for the electoral system. In the case of the Northern Ireland canvass, we have…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)I have to challenge the hon. Gentleman’s assertion that the integrity of the process will be challenged; that is not the Government’s intention in any way. The principle is that…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)To offer some comfort to the hon. Gentleman, as set out in the Government’s policy paper, “A blueprint for modern digital government”, “technology presents us with” the…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)The legislation takes forward the principle of piloting. The detail of those pilots will come through in secondary legislation. I will provide more clarity, if I can, for the hon.…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)Regrettably, the hon. Member may have to explain that to me again in a different way.24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)The point that I am attempting to make is that this piloting and the move towards auto-enrolment will enable EROs to test, based on a variety of different datasets, that the…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)I simply suggest that the piloting, with the work of the EROs and the access to the datasets that establish the right and the eligibility to vote, are testing precisely the point…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)Voter registration is the bedrock of our democracy and is foundational to participation in elections; without it, we cannot exercise our right to vote. As hon. Members have…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q The Government’s election strategy said that our electoral system is not keeping pace with change. The Bill hopes to move us forward so that we do keep pace with changes in the…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you, Mr Browder. Are you aware of examples where cryptocurrency has already been used for foreign political interference? Alexander Browder: It has been used throughout…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q Outer Mongolia, perhaps? As an aside to Paul’s point, I do receive correspondence from constituents who live overseas, usually in respect of their pension arrangements. However,…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q Chris, you very ably pointed out how technology moves at breakneck speed and takes us forward, and it has been recognised that our electoral system is not keeping pace with it.…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q What is your assessment of the “know your donor” regime set out in the Bill? Dr Susan Hawley: We welcome the introduction of the “know your donor” regime, and the clarifications…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (First sitting)Q As may be obvious, I have met most of our witnesses today previously. Where in the Bill do you think things will improve, and what do you see as measures that will make our…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (First sitting)Q Nice to see you, Emily, and welcome. How do you feel the Bill will improve elections and make them more secure for the future? Emily Yule: There are a number of things that we…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q Mr Marshall, to follow up on the point you made about the canvass, the current situation is that the canvass is scrapped every 10 years in Northern Ireland and you have to begin…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q The voting age has obviously already been lowered in Wales and Scotland. As we approach the Bill, and it hopefully becomes law, allowing young people to participate by voting in…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)What you are saying is very interesting, and I will reflect on it. As we go through the Bill process, I think it will become clear that the Government have considered some of the…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Second sitting)Q We have talked about automatic voter registration, which obviously operates in other countries around the world. Where have you seen good practice? What examples can you give to…18 Mar 2026