Truro and Falmouth MP Tackles Second Home Voters

Startling new evidence shows that one in 20 properties in Cornwall is in fact a second home.  The figures from the National Housing Federation (NHF) confirm what many have long-believed to be true: that a large proportion of the housing stock in Cornwall is used for holiday homes and lets.

As a result of the confusing second home voter registration law and guidance, Cornwall Council faces great difficulty in establishing a person’s eligibility to vote in elections based upon their address and place of residence.  Sarah Newton MP, Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, highlighted this matter in the House of Commons.  Speaking to the member of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, Sarah received assurances that this issue would be thoroughly investigated, particularly as it affects Cornwall and Devon more than most other areas.

Sarah said: “The National Housing Federation’s findings serve only to support the importance of finding a resolution to this issue.  We cannot have a situation in which the electoral register can be misused in this way.  It is vital that only people who reside in a constituency or a ward can have the right to cast their ballot in that community.  I will continue to ensure that the Government addresses this issue as a matter of urgency.”

Sarah was speaking up for the recent representations made by Cornwall Council to Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, who wrote that “The Council’s elections staff have issued written advice to all households in Cornwall based on the Electoral Commission’s guidance but this has led to a number of disputes with second home owners.  The lack of clarity means that there may be some persons registered to vote who are not entitled to and others who have been denied the fundamental right to vote because they have not been registered when they should have been.”