Key Facts

• British citizens living overseas can register as electors if they were last registered within the last 15 years.
• A private Member’s Bill was tabled in 2018 to change voting rights for overseas electors but did not progress.
• John Gore has given almost £4.2 million to the Conservative party and reportedly lives abroad.
• The Conservative party accepted more than £1 million from UK citizens in tax havens before 2017.
• Removing barriers will allow expatriates to vote regardless of previous electoral register status.
• Extending voting rights may lead to fraudulent registrations and foreign interference.
• Electoral registration officers face pressure due to existing funding cuts and pressures.
• Registration for overseas electors can take around two hours.
• 5 million Britons live abroad potentially affected by the changes.
• The Treasury has not estimated or identified individuals registered as overseas electors within tax data.
• Universal suffrage in the UK does not base enfranchisement on taxation.
• Full-time students who do not pay tax are still allowed to vote.
• Amendment 81 proposes to define 'resident' in regulations made by the Minister or Secretary of State.
• Valid supporting documentation includes poll cards, letters from local authorities, utility bills, driving licences, bank statements, tax documents, and other specified evidence.
• The amendment outlines specific lists (A and B) detailing acceptable forms of proof for residency.
• Amendment 80 is a probing amendment addressing challenges in defining residency.
• Amendment 81 seeks to clarify the documentary evidence required for overseas electors.
• The Government aims to prevent electoral fraud and ensure consistent practice across the UK.
• Amendment 82 proposes changes to clause 10 regarding attestation of identity.
• Amendment 83 specifies the conditions and details required for a valid attestation of identity, including attestations from two independent individuals with certain limitations and requirements.
• The Association of Electoral Administrators has concerns about integrity and potential increased applications through this route.
• Amendment 84 proposes changes to the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.
• The proposed amendments would move back the deadline for applications by overseas electors by one week before election day.
• This change aims to improve the chances that postal ballots are returned on time.
• Amendment 86 requires reports on the effects of sections 1 to 1E of the Act.
• The report must be laid before Parliament no later than three years after the Elections Act 2021 is passed.
• The report considers whether any differential effects necessitate a review of constituency boundaries.
• Amendment 85 requires a report on levels of awareness among overseas electors.
• An Electoral Commission survey found that 31% of respondents believed UK state pension was required for eligibility and 22% thought owning property in the UK was necessary.
• The Government intends to use data to promote awareness around franchise changes using transitional provisions in the Bill.
• Amendment 86 would require a report on the impact of overseas electors on constituencies.
• Overseas electors can register in any constituency they had previously been registered or resided, across all corners of the UK.
• The French have colonial MPs established for centuries as an example of overseas representation.
• The current 15-year voting rights limit is deemed arbitrary by the government.
• Overseas electors will be able to register based on previous registration or residence in the UK.
• Registration renewals for overseas electors will align with fixed-point renewal cycles, expiring every three years.
• The clause removes automatic voting and candidacy rights for all EU citizens living in England and Northern Ireland.
• Four bilateral treaties are currently in place ensuring the preservation of voting and candidacy rights for British citizens in certain EU countries.
• Provisions will ensure that individuals elected to office before the measures come into effect can serve their full term.
• The Government have tabled substantial technical and drafting amendments.
• The Scottish National Party respects the devolution settlement by not seeking to amend parts of the Bill affecting England and Northern Ireland's local elections.
• There is disappointment over the limited application of voting rights principles.
• Amendments made to sections of RPA 1983 to clarify voting rights.
• Changes apply differently to England and Wales concerning EU citizen voting rights.
• New terms introduced, such as 'qualifying EU citizen' and 'EU citizen with retained rights'.
• Amendments ensure correct application for local elections in Northern Ireland.
• The decision on Government amendment 7 will be taken when considering clause 60.
• Further consideration was ordered to adjourn until the same day at Two o'clock.