Speeches by Holmes.

“Q Good afternoon, both of you, and welcome to the Committee. I enjoyed reading both your submissions to the Committee. It really interested me that there is clearly a desire, from both your organisations, to reduce the amount of threats and harms to active participants in the political process, and to come up with tang…”

“If the Minister decides to make me the MP for overseas voters, I am more than happy to do surgeries across the world.”

“Q What problem are you trying to solve, Minister? It is certainly my contention—you may disagree with this—that most people in this country will have a passport, driving licence or a form of photographic ID, and if you are a student at college, you will have a college ID. One of the witnesses today suggested that you c…”

“Q On the original question about the balance between overburdensome regulation and the ability to interact with the electoral process, Dr Hawley, in your evidence, at paragraph 9, “Campaign spending limits on an annual basis”, you state: “Parties are increasingly building up their war chests well before the run-up to e…”

“Q Thank you for coming this afternoon. Welcome back, Duncan, to these hallowed halls; it has gone downhill since you were last here. I have taken great pleasure in reading all the evidence that has come in today. There are some bits I agree with—particularly from Dr Hawley and Dr Power—but there are some recommendation…”

“I was just checking—I was not trying to catch you out. Richard Williams: Perhaps I can just add to that last point while it is top of mind. Something that came up in discussions among members of Labour International was what could be viable alternatives to the current system. Of course, we are not the first country to …”

“Q I place on the record that I have absolutely no doubt about the Minister’s personal integrity when it comes to making sure that this legislation does the best it possibly can. But it seems unfair and unusual that as we sit on this Committee and as a review goes ahead that was asked for by the Secretary of State—off t…”

“I would be one of the people sad enough to go to the National Archives to look at them, so I am fully in favour of it. Azzurra Moores: Me too. Chris Morris: See you there.”

“Q You issue a fair challenge where apathy and not understanding the process for voters are an issue, but there is also the fact that we in this House rarely have overseas constituents get in touch. [Interruption.] Maybe I am lucky. I had one two months ago, and my team, who are very good, did not quite understand what …”

“Q This is not a challenge but an observation about your answer, for which I thank you. You have outlined some possible solutions. The British Overseas Voters Forum propose solutions such as ensuring that postal ballot papers are downloaded and securely posted via embassies and consulates. That is done in the Netherland…”

“Q I want to ask all three witnesses about one other area, very briefly. A recommendation in your evidence, Dr Hawley, is that we: “Prohibit crypto donations until/unless…crypto currency becomes much more widely used by a greater cross-section of the population”. That is something that needs to be seriously explored, be…”

“Q I notice that quite a considerable number of Labour Members have signed new clause 10, so let’s hope that when we get to Report, they put their money where their mouths are and vote for it, if it is selected. Very quickly, as I know other people want to ask questions, I can see why people would want to support new cl…”

“Thank you, and thank you for the work you have been doing.”

“Q I do not think you are the only one sitting around the table today who considers the Bill a missed opportunity, particularly when it comes to catching up on digital harms and the scrutiny that all of us as local or national politicians should be under when it comes to digital campaigning. These quotes are from your b…”

“I find it interesting that most of the people who we consider to be academics, and have made their life’s profession the integrity of the election system, are not in favour of it, but the Government are choosing to go ahead with it anyway. We will look at that further in line-by-line scrutiny. Thank you very much for y…”

“Q Minister, thank you; I know that you have had as long a day as the rest of us. I will ask you just a few questions, and the Opposition then wish to adjourn until we meet for line-by-line scrutiny. I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask you, based on the evidence that we have heard today. Part of my con…”

“Q Tom, don’t feel like you have to answer if you do not want to. I want your own parties to be able to scrutinise you and ask you questions as well. If you do want to answer, please do, but I want to allow your colleagues to ask you questions. Tom McAdam: I would just like to touch on the opportunity here. When we look…”

“Q It could also be argued that if you cannot prove that there has been an increase or decrease in the amount of personation, the system is working, couldn’t it? Dr Garland: I think we would need to know what exactly is happening. We have to be very clear on what we think the problem is in the first place, and of course…”

“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Notwithstanding the rulings that you have made from the Chair, which I think are always perfect and completely right, we are now entering a new period in which a Prime Minister answers a question about a subject that was not asked and then focuses on asking a question of the …”

“Q Thank you. You anticipated my next question to you, Colin, so you have killed two birds with one stone. I will go to Imogen and Richard on the general point about the legislation, but first I will ask whether you agree with the proposal to allow downloadable ballot papers. Would that make the system easier? Imogen Ty…”