Early election could see thousands lose their vote warns Green candidate
4 October 2007
South East MEP Caroline Lucas, who is the Green Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, has warned that thousands in the city could find themselves without a vote if Gordon Brown decides to call an autumn General Election.
While the council has recently sent out a new canvass to up-date the voter register, Lucas has discovered many, who have moved during the year, could find themselves disenfranchised.
“Even if people have completed and returned the recently circulated registration form, their names will only be included on the new register which won’t be published until December.
“If Gordon Brown decides to cut and run early and calls a General Election before the new register is published, thousands could miss out on exercising their democratic rights,” she warned.
Caroline Lucas (pictured left), who many are tipping to become the first Green Member of Parliament, has learned from the council’s electoral services that up to 30% of the voters that move each year could be caught out. She is urging people who are in doubt to check with the council’s electoral services department.
“People can still register separately and this will get their names onto the current register, rather than rely on completing the recently circulated forms from the council, which won’t guarantee them a vote in a General Election called before December,” she warned.
“This is not a phenomenon affecting just Brighton and Hove. Some experts have suggested that nationally up to a million people could find themselves without a vote too. The Government has a duty to mount a national advertising campaign so people do not lose their right to vote. It would be shameful if the Government failed to do so,” she said.
Notes to editors:
Further press information: Lizzie Dean, Brighton & Hove Green Party Press Officer 07899 843206Notes to editors:
Caroline Lucas is MEP for South East England. She is the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion. In the 2005 general election Greens secured 22% of the vote in Brighton Pavilion. That record level share for the Greens was in the local elections in May this year party’s share of the vote in the constituency increased to 30%.
[ENDS]
