Nigel Breakspear makes an important point about the antiquated way in which the electoral roll is compiled. The roll now being put together will not even come into force until next February and could be up to 18 months out of date before it is superseded.

In the meantime, the only way in which people who move house can vote is by returning to where they used to live or applying for a postal vote for that address. Not surprisingly, very few bother.

Fortunately, the government is implementing a change which the Electoral Reform Society has long been campaigning for. A rolling register - capable of being updated on a month-by-month basis - is being

introduced.

Under the new system, if you move, tell your new council where you live and they will register you and ensure you are removed from the register at your old address.

In addition, there will now be two types of register: A full one which will contain elector's full details and will be used for elections and party campaigning, and a commercial register which will be the version sold by councils to private firms and which people who do not want to receive junk mail can opt out of. Heavy penalties will be levied on those who misuse the full version.

-Alex Folkes, Press and Campaigns Officer, The Electoral Reform Society