Contributions
380 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)I accept that the hon. Member has a deep appreciation of civic education. However, we feel that a report after 12 months adds little value to the ongoing work that needs to…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dame Siobhain. I have covered clause 7, so if Members will indulge me, I will turn to clause 8. Clause 8 sets out five specific…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)Yes, I can offer hon. Members that reassurance. I have worked with DFE colleagues to consider the independent curriculum and assessment review. That review will take onboard…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I thank Members for such a constructive debate. I come back to the original point that I made: the important question is not what else someone can or cannot do, but whether 16 is…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan. I look forward to discussing the finer details of this important Bill with members of the Committee. Clause 1…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)New clause 44, tabled by the hon. Member for Guildford, would require the Government to publish a report regarding steps to support the implementation of the extension of the…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I now move on to clause 2, which extends to 16 and 17-year-olds the existing legal incapacity to vote that applies to convicted prisoners—with the exception of those imprisoned…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)The Government have a clear view on this issue: those convicted of a crime and serving a sentence in custody cannot vote. We have no plans to extend the franchise to prisoners.…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)The issue that the hon. Gentleman raises is quite technical. I will provide him with the details. He is right that some convicted 16 to 17-year-olds, rather than being imprisoned…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)Clause 3 will give young people the ability to register from the age of 14, before they have the right to vote at 16, ensuring that they are able to exercise their right to vote…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his support. For attainment at the age of 18, we work with 16 and 17-year-olds, so the two-year rule will continue by convention. If I have anything to…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his question on quite a complex issue. The right to vote is based on citizenship, so I would have to come back to him with further detail on those…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I will supply the hon. Member with that information, because it also applies to attainers who are living overseas. I commend the clause to the Committee. Question put and agreed…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)I note the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, and I hope to address them as we go forward. Clause 21 makes clear that piloting regulations may be used to explore this ambition further,…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)Clause 4 will ensure that the extension of the franchise works effectively for young people whose living arrangements do not fit the traditional model of a fixed or permanent…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)The short answer is yes. This is an extension of the arrangements with which EROs are most familiar, and the guidance that will be provided to them in advance of the proposals…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)The hon. Member makes an important point. The response to that is the declaration of the local connection; that must relate to an address with which the individual has a genuine…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)The hon. Member raises an important point. We have to establish the principle in the first instance and, as we progress with the legislation, we can provide more detail about the…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)I do not think that I would because it would be a bureaucratic exercise, whereas the work needs to focus outwards. The scrutiny will come from within Parliament, and from within…24 Mar 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 5, in clause 6, page 10, line 9, at end insert “and recall petitions”. This amendment is consequential on amendment 7.24 Mar 2026