Voter ID Pilots

Debate between Michael Tomlinson and Chloe Smith

Monday 23rd April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

As my hon. Friend knows, it is legitimate to take a postal vote to a polling station on the day, but I understand that he has recently found unusual evidence of the extent to which that may have been happening. I know that what is in his mind is how much verification can have taken place of the high numbers of such postal votes, and I encourage him to go on trying to find out exactly what seems to have happened in his area.

As I have said throughout this afternoon’s exchanges, it is extremely important for us all to have confidence in our electoral system. That means that we must be able to test ways of improving our protection in the system, which will in turn mean that fewer people become victims of electoral crime. I record my thanks not only to the five authorities that are conducting the ID trials, but to the three that are testing ways of improving the postal and proxy voting processes.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

I welcome the Minister’s statement and her commitment to combating fraud. Contrary to Labour Members’ assertions, is it not the case that this will not deter people who are entitled to vote from doing so and will not reduce turnout, but that what it will do is reduce and deter electoral fraud?

[Chloe Smith]

That is precisely what the pilots are intended to do. They are intended to test, in a proportionate and reasonable way, practices that already take place throughout the world and have continued to support thriving and flourishing democracies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Tomlinson and Chloe Smith

Wednesday 21st February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

The piece of evidence that I am working on at the moment relates to a call for evidence that came back from work on how to make voting in elections more accessible for those with disabilities. It is important to note that we are talking about a range of disabilities, and not just those that may be visible. That is something I am keen to focus on in my work. Indeed, I look forward to working further with the hon. Lady on ensuring that people with any disability feel able not only to participate in elections as candidates, but crucially, to register to vote.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

Is it not right that, despite the concerns raised, individual electoral registration has both increased the roll and helped to reduce fraud?

[Chloe Smith]

That is absolutely correct. According to a 2016 report from the Electoral Commission, both completeness and accuracy have risen, and we should aim to keep it that way.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Tomlinson and Chloe Smith

Wednesday 15th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

There are a few things to say about the hon. Gentleman’s important point. First, we ought to pay tribute to the businesses in Northern Ireland that have created so many thousands of jobs. More than 10,000 new jobs have been created in the past year alone, which is important progress. Secondly, this Government will never be neutral on the subject of the Union, and people will see our support for the trade that needs to go between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Thirdly, our exit from the European Union provides an additional opportunity for firms in Northern Ireland to trade around the globe, which is something to be seized.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

15. On that precise point, while trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland is important, it is far outstripped by trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Will the Minister confirm that this Conservative Government will do nothing that fractures the internal market of the United Kingdom?

[Chloe Smith]

Yes, I certainly can. We are convinced of the need to go out and seek opportunities around the globe that will bring more jobs to Northern Ireland, and greater prosperity to both Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom, because we are stronger together.