Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Debate between Andrew George and Elfyn Llwyd

Tuesday 19th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Andrew George]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for clarifying that point of electoral law, which needs to be emphasised. Points have been made about registration levels—the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Heather Wheeler) said that registration levels of 98 or 99% had been achieved in her area. In fact, in constituencies such as mine it is potentially possible to achieve registration levels over 100%.

[Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC)]

Does the hon. Gentleman regard the student vote in the same way?

[Andrew George]

It is an important case in point. As I understand it, students can register in more than one location and decide where their primary residence is for the purpose of electoral registration and casting their vote. Most university students go to their parental home, for example, when they are not at university, and they spend about half the year in each place. The point therefore becomes moot.