Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Safety of Local Elections: Covid-19

Thursday 25 March 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published a delivery plan on 5 February 2021 outlining how local elections would be conducted safely during the pandemic.
  • An update on count security and postal vote handling will be provided via a written ministerial statement.
  • Minister encouraged vulnerable individuals to apply for postal votes, stating they do not need to be quarantined.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concern about ensuring the safety of voters and candidates during the pandemic for upcoming local elections.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the 7 May 2021 local elections can take place safely during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Chloe Smith

On 5 February this year, the Government published a delivery plan outlining how the polls will be delivered in a covid-secure way. That is backed by £32 million funding uplift for returning officers and local authorities to address costs related to covid and by changes to the law made by Parliament to help voters and candidates participate safely in elections.

Answered
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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concern about ensuring that the count is secure and postal votes are handled properly during the pandemic.

Question

Could she provide an update on what actions she is taking to ensure that the count is secure and that postal votes are treated appropriately, particularly during the pandemic?

Answer from Chloe Smith

An update will be provided today by written ministerial statement giving full details. The Electoral Commission has produced guidance for the count, and we have worked with it to ensure that is properly up to date. Postal votes and other items of paperwork do not need to be quarantined contrary to some recent media reporting.

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Q3 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concern about the impact of voter ID requirements on democracy, including millions missing from the electoral register.

Question

What would she say to a vulnerable person who has voted in person for their entire life but now feels it is unsafe to do so due to this Government's lack of action?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I would encourage any such person to apply for a postal vote, which I will be using at this local election. Postal votes do not need to be quarantined contrary to some recent media reporting. The hon. Lady should explain why the Labour party does not practise what it preaches by asking for voter ID at its own meetings.

How: May I Call Out The Hon. Lady For Her Needless Posturing?

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