Representation of the People Act 1981
Long title | An Act to disqualify certain persons for election to the House of Commons; to make changes in the timetable for parliamentary elections; and for connected purposes. |
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Citation | 1981 c. 34 |
Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 2 July 1981 |
Status: Current legislation | |
Text of the Representation of the People Act 1981 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. |
The Representation of the People Act 1981 (c. 34) is an
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It creates the provision for the automatic disqualification of an MP if they are imprisoned for over a year, leading to a by-election being held in their constituency.
The text of the Act states that it provides:
- for the disqualification from membership of the recall petitions.
Background
The Act was passed following the election to the Westminster Parliament of an Irish Republican Army hunger-striker, Bobby Sands, in the April 1981 Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election, while he was serving a long term of imprisonment.[1]
Due to the Act, following the death of Sands other prisoners on hunger strike could not stand in the second 1981 by-election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Brent, Harry (5 May 2021). "IRA prisoner Bobby Sands died following 66 days on hunger strike on this day in 1981". The Irish Post.
- ^ Whyte, Nicholas (April 2003). "Fermanagh and South Tyrone 1973-1982". Northern Ireland Elections. ARK - Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.
External links
- Gay, Oonagh (13 October 2004). Disqualification for membership of the House of Commons (PDF) (Report). House of Commons. SN/PC/3221. Note examining the history of disqualification provisions applicable to Members of the House of Commons.