Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill

Baroness Curran Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 5th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Curran (Lab)]

I strongly welcome this opportunity to speak in support of the Bill introduced by my honourable friend Tracy Gilbert. As has been said, and I am sure we all agree, it is vital to ensure that all electors are able to participate in the process and choose those who represent them. While many people will continue to vote in person, there are those who face challenges that make this difficult or even impossible. Absent voting arrangements—the option to vote via post or proxy—are vital.

As has been said, currently, voters in UK Parliament elections can make use of the online absent vote application process, alongside the traditional paper application process. So too can voters in England and Wales, I think, to vote for police and crime commissioners, and it can be used in all local government elections in England. However, voters in Scotland and Wales do not have that option in devolved elections, which puts them at a disadvantage and can mean some voter confusion.

This Bill gives the Scottish and Welsh Governments powers to regulate to allow absent voting applications to be made online in devolved elections. This will cover both postal and proxy votes enabled through the use of the UK digital service. Given the proximity and profile of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, this is an important Bill which provides the key means to address the confusion and inconsistencies that could potentially face voters in Scotland and Wales. My understanding is that, if the Bill is passed within the timeframe, it will give those involved in the delivery of elections, and those participating, enough time to manage such processes.

I take the opportunity to pay tribute to Tracy Gilbert MP, whose work I know well. She is thorough, extremely competent and assiduous, which is clearly evident in her handling of this legislation. She has consulted widely and has the support of key electoral stakeholders, including the Electoral Reform Society. Furthermore, this Bill has cross-party support. I am pleased to note the respect for devolution that runs through this legislation and in the handling of it. I am particularly pleased to emphasise the positive co-operation and agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments. That has not always been the case, but it is happening now, and this enables us to be confident in the handling and content of the legislation.

Moreover, as the noble Lord said, the Bill includes alignment of postal voting cycles across devolved and reserved elections, and the alignment of identity verification requirements, all of which improves consistency and efficiency. This ultimately leads to improved electoral arrangements and voter experiences, which can only assist in greater voter participation. I reiterate my support and thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Murphy, and Tracy Gilbert. These are necessary steps that have to be taken and which, I hope, can be implemented in time for the important elections in 2026.