Thank you for contacting me about the Government’s Representation of the People Bill.
Automatic registration is less effective at improving accuracy and reducing fraud compared to individual voter registration. Automatic registration risks adding names from datasets not designed to determine eligibility – people move and datasets lag behind, and an inaccurate register creates opportunities for abuse.
If it is to be implemented, however, it is vital that it is should not be rushed or asymmetrical. This is why it was concerning to learn that the Government has said that automatic registration will be introduced ‘in a range of different locations and settings, with different characteristics,’ meaning disparities between electoral rolls.
It is for these reasons that I will not be supporting NC56 if it is selected at Report stage.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
