Elections: Registration

Lord Kakkar Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

This is where I hope that we can call on the experts in all parties to stop those misleading statements. I made clear last Wednesday that we have always had voluntary registration in this country, and that we are not—whichever party is in power, I suspect—going to bring in compulsory registration. But we will bring in a system that will encourage people to complete their civic duties by registering to vote. Rather than throwing barriers in the way, I suggest that all parties, NGOs and others get down to making this system as foolproof as we can, and then get people to register to vote. We can prove by this exercise that some of those fears are groundless. My right honourable friend Nick Clegg and my honourable friend Mark Harper are open to suggestions and are engaged in discussions, and we will do the best that we can.

[Lord Kakkar]

My Lords, what impact might the opportunity to vote for an elected second Chamber have on voluntary voter registration?

[Lord McNally]

I think that it would have them flocking to register in their millions. The opportunity and the excitement that that would generate would be almost boundless.