Individual Electoral Registration

David Nuttall Excerpts

Wednesday 15th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

Our proposals in the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill, which will set fixed parliamentary terms so that election dates become more predictable, should enable organisations such as the Electoral Commission and local authorities to run campaigns to improve registration ahead of specific elections. We will know when the date of the election will be. The hon. Gentleman thus makes a valid point. Under our fixed-term Parliament proposals, it should be easier to deliver what he suggests.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does the Minister have any plans to improve the process of checking the identity of voters at the polling station in order to reduce the risk of impersonation?

[Mr Harper]

That suggestion has been put forward, and it happens in Northern Ireland. We are thinking about and considering it further. If the Government decide to bring forward any such proposals, we will announce them in the House.