Decline In Levels Of Electoral Registration

EDM number 294 in 1993-94, proposed by Harry Barnes on 16/12/1993.

That this House notes with concern the continuing decline in levels of electoral registration as illustrated in a parliamentary answer to the honourable Member for North East Derbyshire which was placed in the Library rather than being published in the Official Report; further notes that in England and Wales an average of only 95 per cent. of the eligible population have registered for the vote and that this average figure conceals much lower levels of electoral registration; is concerned that the average figure for Greater London is 88.4 per cent. and that the Greater London figures range from 80 per cent. in Islington, 81.1 per cent. in Camden, 82 per cent in Hackney, 82.1 per cent. in Haringey, 84 per cent. in Brent, 84.7 per cent. in Lambeth, 85 per cent. in Ealing to 86.5 per cent. in Tower Hamlets; is further concerned that other lower than average figures include 90.6 per cent. in Huntingdonshire, 90.3 per cent. in mid-Devon, 89.9 per cent. in Brighton and 86.1 per cent. in Richmondshire; also notes that even these poor percentage figures are artificially inflated as they include entries for those who have died, emigrated, moved and are double counted; believes that a key factor in the decline in levels of electoral registration was the poll tax; is disturbed, therefore, that the level of electoral registration is still in decline despite the abolition of the poll tax; and calls upon the Government to urgently seek ways of maximising electoral registration before the 1994-95 registers are finalised in February 1994.

This motion has been signed by a total of 53 MPs.