Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

Let me take the hon. Gentleman back to the point that my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) raised with him. Since this arrangement for overseas voting was first introduced—in, as I recall, the Representation of the People Act 1983—[Interruption.] Hon. Members say that that was done by consensus. I cannot remember what the final vote was, but I do recall some intense arguments in this House. This was at the high point of Baroness Thatcher's Administration and Labour Members were concerned—I make this point in a serious way—that along with the fiddling of unemployment statistics and much else besides, an effort was being made to fiddle the franchise. I shall return to the point very quickly, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In the event, the surprise for Members on both sides of the House has been—this applies to those who have been resident abroad for only three or four years, let alone 15 years—how few people have bothered to use this right. The proportion is far fewer than the 65 to 70 per cent. who turn out from a UK base.