Brother receives letter from local MP

ethan · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:45

To the house where he used to live purporting to be from his local MP indicating the Government has recently introduced an eighty pound fine for not registering to vote/not being on the electoral register. Brother has a number of medical/mental health issues and not only refuses to register but strictly speaking doesn't live in one particular abode for any reasonable or period of time. All of his affairs, for example post etc is simply sent to his sisters or his ex wife. This letter has come to mine because I am a relative but unfortunately am at a loss as what to do? The letter starts with "Dear resident(s) though the envelope had his name on it. It carries the House of Commons stamp and the name of his local MP.

BDEE · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:46

OK?

Is there a follow up question or something else, or just making a statement?

Tuppy_Glossop · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:47

Afaik, it isn't for the MP to enforce this, it is a matter for the local council.

tom_e · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:48

Well according to this https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register/overview they can indeed now fine you, you'd be best either talking him into registering or seeking some proper advice for his situation.

randal · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:48

https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register/overview

What happens if you don’t register

You must register to vote if you’re asked to do so and you meet the conditions for registering, eg you’re 16 or over and you’re British or a national of an EU or Commonwealth country.

If you’re asked to register and don’t do so, your local Electoral Registration Office could fine you £80.

You won’t be fined if you have a valid reason for not registering, eg a long stay in hospital, or you have severe learning difficulties.

Sounds like it's time to give them a call to explain your brother's situation and to see if he's eligable for an exception.

agnes · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:52

Whoa whoa whoa... You can now be fined for not signing up to the electoral register???

Seriously?????? F this country.

Tuppy_Glossop · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:54

It has been like that for as long as I can remember

agnes · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:54

Tuppy_Glossop said:
It has been like that for as long as I can remember

Am I being thick and crossing my wires somewhere? I think I am.

ethan · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:54

It reads like a scare letter or some underhanded bullying attempt to panic him in to registering at a permanent address he only intermittently frequents? Why would he receive a general letter from an MP and not the council?

Tuppy_Glossop · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:56

agnes said:
Am I being thick and crossing my wires somewhere? I think I am.

Not thick, we all make mistakes. Don't be harsh on yourself

MooMoo444 · 2 Nov 2015 at 12:59

Just sign up for the register, you don't actually need to go and vote ..

meandu229 · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:00

agnes said:
Am I being thick and crossing my wires somewhere? I think I am.

As far as I know you dont have to vote but you do need to be on the register.

K.C. Leblanc · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:05

MooMoo444 said:
Just sign up for the register, you don't actually need to go and vote ..

Also it might reassure him that he can opt out of being on the public register.

https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register/opt-out-of-the-open-register

I have to say, credit referencing agencies and like do use the electoral role. So it's probably in your brother's interest to be registered.

ethan · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:13

The problem is my brother fell by the wayside. I think he had a nervous breakdown and is unable to cope. He stopped caring after a number of illnesses that effected his ability to get a job. He had a number of embolism and suffers from an incurable situation which forces him to lose his balance etc. Basically he's at the stage where lost the will to live or care but is too afraid to kill himself. None of this however has any bearing on the fact he is unable or unwilling to be tied down to one place or particular residence. He's not violent or trouble to anyone or anything like that. He just wants to "go his way" and be left alone.

ZXSpectrum · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:32

K.C. Leblanc said:
Also it might reassure him that he can opt out of being on the public register.

https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register/opt-out-of-the-open-register

I have to say, credit referencing agencies and like do use the electoral role. So it's probably in your brother's interest to be registered.

As far as I am aware the Credit Reference Agencies Electoral Register check is different from the Open Register. The Open Register can be sold to companies that want to sell you stuff or annoy you.

Tefal · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:34

agnes said:
Whoa whoa whoa... You can now be fined for not signing up to the electoral register???

Seriously?????? F this country.

Buts without a complete data set for the area they can't sell it on for as much money to Indian scam call centers

tom_e · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:37

ethan said:
The problem is my brother fell by the wayside. I think he had a nervous breakdown and is unable to cope. He stopped caring after a number of illnesses that effected his ability to get a job. He had a number of embolism and suffers from an incurable situation which forces him to lose his balance etc. Basically he's at the stage where lost the will to live or care but is too afraid to kill himself. None of this however has any bearing on the fact he is unable or unwilling to be tied down to one place or particular residence. He's not violent or trouble to anyone or anything like that. He just wants to "go his way" and be left alone.

I'm not sure what you want us to say, he either sucks up the fine, contacts them and explains the situation or just registers.

Destination · 2 Nov 2015 at 13:54

agnes said:
Am I being thick and crossing my wires somewhere? I think I am.

You don't have to vote, but you must be registered on the electoral register.

agnes · 2 Nov 2015 at 14:01

Hikari Kisugi said:
You don't have to vote, but you must be registered on the electoral register.

Ahhh, I'll step away from the thread. That's enough stupid for me for one day.

ethan · 2 Nov 2015 at 14:14

tom_e said:
I'm not sure what you want us to say, he either sucks up the fine, contacts them and explains the situation or just registers.

I'm somewhat bemused as to why the letter was specifically sent? I asked my sister if there were any council tax issues with him not having registered at the address the letter was sent, and she replied she pays full council tax anyway. So the fine, if any will because he refuse to register simply because he has refused to register to vote?