Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Democratic Inclusion

Thursday 11 February 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Virendra Sharma inquired about the Government's plans to implement RNIB recommendations to improve voting experiences for visually impaired individuals.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of including people with disabilities in the democratic process and assured that the Government would provide further thoughts on the RNIB's proposals soon.
  • Navendu Mishra questioned the impact of the Government's voter ID plans on Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, highlighting concerns about systematic exclusion and barriers to democratic engagement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virendra Sharma Lab
Democracy & Elections
Context

More than 2 million people in the UK have sight loss, and a recent RNIB report found that less than half of blind and partially sighted people are satisfied with their experience of voting. The question seeks to understand when the Government will introduce RNIB recommendations.

Question

More than 2 million people in the UK have sight loss, and a recent RNIB report found that less than half of blind and partially sighted people are satisfied with their experience of voting. When will the Government introduce the RNIB recommendations?

Answer from Michael Gove

The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. We should do everything we can to ensure that people living with disabilities, including those with visual impairment, can be fully included in the democratic process, and we will be coming back shortly with thoughts about the RNIB's helpful proposals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: None

How: We Should Do Everything We Can To Ensure That People Living With Disabilities...

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Q2 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Democracy & Elections
Context

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people already experience low levels of democratic engagement and face racism, hostility, and discrimination. With many lacking ID, the Government's voter ID plans are set to systematically exclude these groups from voting.

Question

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people already experience low levels of democratic engagement, and racism, hostility and discrimination. With many lacking ID, the Government's voter ID plans are set to systematically exclude GRT people. Instead of working to break down barriers and improve accessibility, why are Ministers putting their energy into creating barriers to voting for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people?

Answer from Michael Gove

We do not want to create any barriers to anyone voting. We take seriously our responsibilities to ensure that all groups within society, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, have full access to all of their democratic rights.

Partly answered

Not addressed: None

How: We Do Not Want To Create Any Barriers...

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