The Prime Minister has hailed a Bolton by-election victory in today’s PMQs – following a question by local MP Chris Green.
During today’s session, Chris asked for an update on government proposals to combat electoral fraud. Prime Minister Theresa May, in her response, used the opportunity to congratulate Bolton Conservatives on last weeks’ by-election result which saw the party take the seat from Labour.
Speaking after PMQs, Chris said: “Hulton was an important victory for us and shows that only the Conservatives can challenge Labour-run Bolton Council.
“I’m so pleased that the Prime Minister took the time to congratulate local Conservatives, and Councillor Toby Hewitt, on what was a very good local campaign.”
Councillor Toby Hewitt said: “It is fantastic to get recognition from the Prime Minister on our by-election win. The by-election was a great team effort and shows that people in Bolton want change.
“It’s now time to get on with the job though and represent the people of Deane, Daubhilll, Morris Green and Over Hulton to the best of my ability.”
During the session, Chris asked the Prime Minister for an update on the government’s measures to tackle voter fraud. It comes after the Bolton West & Atherton MP introduced a Private Members’ Bill calling for voter ID last year, and after Bolton MBC withdrew from a pilot scheme.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: “The British People need to be confident in the integrity of our voting system so what is my Right Honourable Friend doing to follow up on Sir Eric Pickles’ report, Securing the Battle, to minimise voter fraud, whether this is for referenda, general elections or local elections?
The Prime Minister responded: “Can I, as he was on his feet, congratulate him for I believe a very good council by-election result where the Conservatives took a seat from the Labour Party.
“But he raises an important issue about strengthening our election processes and enhancing the confidence people have in our democratic processes and we’re shortly going to be running pilot schemes in five local authorities to identify the best way to implement voter ID, and in Tower Hamlets, Slough and in Peterborough they are going to be piloting measures to improve the integrity of the postal and proxy vote process.
“Our democracy matters but it is important people can have true confidence in it.”