City Of Westminster And Electoral Registration

EDM number 422 in 1993-94, proposed by Harry Barnes on 24/01/1994.

That this House notes that the City of Westminster has the lowest percentage voter registration figures in the UK; further notes that, according to the latest available figures which compare registered local government electors in 1993 with the mid-1992 population estimates for the relevant population, only 68 per cent. of the eligible population was actually included on electoral registers, although this figure will also include people who have been double counted, moved on or died; recognises that the known shortfall amounts to 51,800 people, although this figure includes an unknown number of foreign nationals which has not been quantified by the City of Westminster, believes that whilst Westminster's massive shortfall in voter registration may not be the result of a considered conspiracy by councillors, they failed to heed persistent Labour warnings over vanishing voters and neglected to do their utmost to increase electoral registration through such means as targeting Westminster's many further and higher education establishments; further note that, according to research conducted by the British Youth Council, Westminster is also bottom of the league for missing young voters; and calls upon the Government to institute an inquiry into voter registration in the City of Westminster.

This motion has been signed by a total of 73 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.