Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Poulter Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think there was a little blush as well in there.

[Dr Dan Poulter (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) (Con) [V]]

The Minister will be aware that even with a vaccine coming on stream and passing safety tests quickly, a roll-out will take many months, and we have local and mayoral elections coming next May. What steps is he going to put in place to ensure that vulnerable and older people are still able to vote? Will he consider, in that process, encouraging local authorities to register people to vote by post?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point, and he has been a consistent and effective advocate for the rights of older and vulnerable citizens in all his time in the House. We must make sure, both through effective voter registration and through the effective roll-out of our vaccination programme, that older and vulnerable voters are in a position to take part in the democratic process, and I will work with the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution to do just that.