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To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the level of family voting in polling stations in Birmingham in the May 2026 local elections.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the level of family voting in polling stations in Birmingham in the May 2026 local elections.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has made an assessment into (a) unlawful family voting and (b) intimidation outside polling stations at the May 2026 local elections.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has made an assessment into (a) unlawful family voting and (b) intimidation outside polling stations at the May 2026 local elections.
A list of all UK General elections dates since 1832.
A list of all UK General elections dates since 1832.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his plans to revoke the Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement, what assessment has been made of the consequences of repealing its provisions on (a) electoral fraud and (b) the secrecy of the ballot inside...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his plans to revoke the Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement, what assessment has been made of the consequences of repealing its provisions on (a) electoral fraud and (b) the secrecy of the ballot inside...
The government is taking decisive action to strengthen and protect UK democracy. We recognise how vital it is that the Electoral Commission is fearlessly independent, commands trust across the political spectrum and operates free from political influence.
That is why we are bringing forward amendments to repeal the government’s powers to designate a Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission. This will put beyond doubt the foundational principle of the Commission’s independence and further strengthen its ability to oversee elections into the future without fear or favour.
Electoral law already provides robust protections against personation, bribery, and other forms of electoral fraud, all of which are a matter for the police. For example, it is a criminal offence under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 to pressure someone to vote in a certain way in the polling station.
The revocation of the Strategy and Policy Statement will not have any impact on the enforcement of electoral fraud.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report by the Electoral Commission on voter ID at the 2024 General Election, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of allowing vouching or attestation in polling stations on levels...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report by the Electoral Commission on voter ID at the 2024 General Election, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of allowing vouching or attestation in polling stations on levels...
The government has not made a specific assessment of the impact that allowing vouching or attestation at polling stations would have on levels of family voting or personation and has no plans to introduce such measures as alternatives to the requirement for voters to show identification.
New clause 16 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 17 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 19 negatived on division (2 to 12). New clause 22 debated and withdrawn. New clause 24 negatived on division (4 to 10). New clause 26 debated and withdrawn. New clause 30, discussed with new clauses 54, 58 and 65, debated and withdrawn. New clause 31, discussed with new clauses 34 and 35, debated and withdrawn. New clause 33 negatived on division (2 to 12). New clause 36 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 37 negatived on division (2 to 13). New clause 41 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 42 negatived on division (4 to 11). New clause 43 negatived on division (5 to 10). New clause 44 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 45 negatived on division (3 to 10). New clause 46 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 47 negatived on division (3 to 10). New clause 48 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 49 negatived. New clause 50 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 51 negatived on division (3 to 10). New clause 53 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 54 negatived on division (3 to 12). New clause 59, discussed with new clauses 61, 62, 63 and 64, debated and withdrawn. New clause 66 debated and withdrawn. Clauses 75 to 79 agreed to. Amendment 33 to clause 80 negatived on division (2 to 13). Clauses 80 and 81 agreed to. Title amended. Bill, as amended, to be reported (Bill 418). Written evidence reported to the House.
New clause 16 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 17 negatived on division (2 to 10). New clause 19 negatived on division (2 to 12). New clause 22 debated and withdrawn. New clause 24 negatived on division (4 to 10). New clause 26 debated and withdrawn. New clause...
Any form of coercion at the polling booth is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process, as the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 makes clear. The Government will continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission and administrators to ensure that polling station staff are confident in challenging those offences.
Any form of coercion at the polling booth is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process, as the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 makes clear. The Government will continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission and administrators to ensure that polling station staff are confident in challenging those offences.
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent family voting in UK elections.
While Greater Manchester police has stated that there was no evidence of family voting in a recent by-election, Democracy Volunteers reported witnessing “concerningly high levels” of such activity on polling day. How does the Minister reconcile these conflicting accounts, and can she clarify how Greater Manchester police conducted that assessment, and particularly whether witness statements from the observers were taken into account?
While Greater Manchester police has stated that there was no evidence of family voting in a recent by-election, Democracy Volunteers reported witnessing “concerningly high levels” of such activity on polling day. How does the Minister reconcile these conflicting accounts, and can she clarify how Greater Manchester police conducted that assessment, and particularly whether witness statements from the observers were taken into account?
Greater Manchester police has completed its investigation and found no evidence of family voting. I thank the police for their careful and diligent work investigating this matter, as well as the Electoral Commission and the local returning officer for their support. As I said before, coercion in the polling station and other types of electoral offences are unacceptable and undermine confidence in our democratic system.
Greater Manchester police has completed its investigation and found no evidence of family voting. I thank the police for their careful and diligent work investigating this matter, as well as the Electoral Commission and the local returning officer for their support. As I said before, coercion in the polling station and other types of electoral offences are unacceptable and undermine confidence in our democratic system.
Greater Manchester police has completed its investigation and found no evidence of family voting. I thank the police for their careful and diligent work investigating this matter, as well as the Electoral Commission and the local returning officer for their support. As I said before, coercion in the polling station and other types of electoral offences are unacceptable and undermine confidence in our democratic system.
While Greater Manchester police has stated that there was no evidence of family voting in a recent by-election, Democracy Volunteers reported witnessing “concerningly high levels” of such activity on polling day. How does the Minister reconcile these conflicting accounts, and can she clarify how Greater Manchester police conducted that assessment, and particularly whether witness statements from the observers were taken into account?
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and happy Easter. Family voting is just one example of unfair voting practices that seek to skew elections and exploit those isolated from wider British society. Another example of these divisive tactics was a disgraceful Green leaflet in the Gorton and Denton by-election, written in Urdu, saying:
“Labour must be punished for Gaza… Give the Muslims a voice. Vote Green.”
If the Minister agrees that this is divisive language, will she back our amendment to allow election literature in a short campaign to be printed only in an official British language?
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and happy Easter. Family voting is just one example of unfair voting practices that seek to skew elections and exploit those isolated from wider British society. Another example of these divisive tactics was a disgraceful Green leaflet in the Gorton and Denton by-election, written in Urdu, saying:
“Labour must be punished for Gaza… Give the Muslims a voice. Vote Green.”
If the Minister agrees that this is divisive language, will she back our amendment to allow election literature in a short campaign to be printed only in an official British language?
We will continue to work through the Representation of the People Bill in Committee, through line-by-line scrutiny. I look forward to continuing that work with the hon. Gentleman, and we will discuss that then.
We will continue to work through the Representation of the People Bill in Committee, through line-by-line scrutiny. I look forward to continuing that work with the hon. Gentleman, and we will discuss that then.
We will continue to work through the Representation of the People Bill in Committee, through line-by-line scrutiny. I look forward to continuing that work with the hon. Gentleman, and we will discuss that then.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and happy Easter. Family voting is just one example of unfair voting practices that seek to skew elections and exploit those isolated from wider British society. Another example of these divisive tactics was a disgraceful Green leaflet in the Gorton and Denton by-election, written in Urdu, saying:
“Labour must be punished for Gaza… Give the Muslims a voice. Vote Green.”
If the Minister agrees that this is divisive language, will she back our amendment to allow election literature in a short campaign to be printed only in an official British language?
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent family voting in UK elections.
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent family voting in UK elections.
Any form of coercion at the polling booth is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process, as the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 makes clear. The Government will continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission and administrators to ensure that polling station staff are confident in challenging those offences.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to introduce statutory guidance to Returning Officers so there is an explicit obligation to enforce the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 in polling stations and intervene to stop the practice of so-called...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to introduce statutory guidance to Returning Officers so there is an explicit obligation to enforce the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 in polling stations and intervene to stop the practice of so-called...
I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 119522 on 18 March 2026.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if he will take steps to help reduce family voting.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if he will take steps to help reduce family voting.
The Electoral Commission takes allegations of electoral fraud very seriously. It is a criminal offence to attempt to pressure someone to vote in a certain way. The Commission encourages anyone who believes an offence has occurred to report it to the police.
The Commission supports the electoral community to prevent, detect and take action against electoral fraud. It supports electoral administrators and polling staff to protect the integrity of the polls, including through guidance and its polling station handbook which sets out how to protect the secrecy of voting in polling stations.
The Commission also runs its ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ fraud prevention and awareness campaign – in partnership with Crimestoppers – to remind voters to complete their ballot independently and in private.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, whether the Electoral Commission will ensure that all polling stations in the May 2026 local elections display visible posters on the secrecy of the ballot and the associated offences under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, whether the Electoral Commission will ensure that all polling stations in the May 2026 local elections display visible posters on the secrecy of the ballot and the associated offences under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 121725.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if the Electoral Commission will ensure that polling stations in the May 2026 local elections display visible posters on the secrecy of the ballot and associated offences under the Ballot Secrecy Act...
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if the Electoral Commission will ensure that polling stations in the May 2026 local elections display visible posters on the secrecy of the ballot and associated offences under the Ballot Secrecy Act...
Electoral law prescribes which official notices must be displayed in polling stations. This includes the ‘guidance for voters’ notice which explains that voting is secret and voters should not let anyone see how they have voted. The Commission’s guidance for electoral administrators and polling station handbook explain where and how these notices must be displayed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Election Strategy document, Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, July 2025, para 113, for what reason the Government now intends to repeal and not amend the Electoral Commission’s...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Election Strategy document, Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, July 2025, para 113, for what reason the Government now intends to repeal and not amend the Electoral Commission’s...
The Government is taking decisive action to strengthen and protect UK democracy, including strengthening the Electoral Commission’s powers and extending its remit to ensure that it can effectively enforce the political finance framework.
We have listened to stakeholders and recognise how vital it is that the Commission is fearlessly independent, commands trust across the political spectrum and operates free from political influence.
That is why we are bringing forward amendments to repeal the Government’s powers to designate a Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission. This will put beyond doubt the foundational principle of the Commission’s independence and further strengthen its ability to oversee elections into the future without fear or favour.
Family voting is illegal, and the Government takes any allegations extremely seriously. It is a criminal offence under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 to pressure someone to vote in a certain way in the polling station, and potential offences are a matter for the police. We do not consider that repealing the Strategy and Policy Statement will have any impact on enforcement of this offence.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has reported any recent evidence of family voting.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has reported any recent evidence of family voting.
The Commission publishes annual data from police services on allegations of electoral fraud. It is aware of the allegations raised at the Gorton and Denton by-election, and has been in contact with the Returning Officer and Greater Manchester Police to review the concerns raised.
The Commission takes allegations of electoral fraud very seriously. It is a criminal offence to attempt to pressure someone to vote in a certain way. Anyone who believes such an offence has occurred should report it to the police. The Commission will continue to provide information for voters about their rights, and guidance for polling station staff that supports them to protect the secrecy of voting in polling stations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to amend electoral law to introduce statutory guidance for Returning Officers to protect the secrecy of the ballot in polling stations, including steps to stop practices of so-called family voting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to amend electoral law to introduce statutory guidance for Returning Officers to protect the secrecy of the ballot in polling stations, including steps to stop practices of so-called family voting.
The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing Returning Officers with guidance on the administration of elections; they provide extensive advice, including how polling staff should respond if they suspect offences are being committed, such as family voting. The Commission’s performance standards for Returning Officers also specifically include ensuring polling stations are set up and staff are trained to support voters to vote independently and in secret.
While the vast majority of people vote lawfully, any instance of coercion into revealing the nature of somebody’s ballot is illegal, unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process. We will continue to work with electoral administrators and the Electoral Commission to ensure that that our polls are run smoothly, fairly, and securely.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has issued updated guidance following the passage of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has issued updated guidance following the passage of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
I refer the Hon. Gentleman to the answer provided to Question 116490 which explains that the Commission’s guidance was updated to reflect the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.