Millions could lose the ability to vote: here's what you need to know

We quite like voting.

Not only is it great fun to do everything you possibly can to keep Nigel Farage and his party away from any kind of power more serious than the upkeep of roundabout flowerbeds, it’s also fairly important.

So when the government are pushing through legislation that could potentially see millions knocked off the electoral register everyone needs to know how to avoid being one of them.

What’s happening?

The government are changing voter registration from 'household' to 'individual'.

This means that everyone has to register themselves individually rather than getting someone from their household to do it for them.

So don’t be lazy.

Will I be affected?

If you were registered by someone else in your household then you could be removed from the register on December 1st.

Although most people will be moved to the new system automatically, some will still need to re-register.

You can check out exactly what you need to do at the About My Vote website by searching for your postcode in the handily named ‘Your local area' box.

If you do need to re-register you can do so right here. Just fill in your details and exercise your fundamental democratic right.

Here’s the link for Nothern Ireland.

There's been some loud opposition to the move from the Electoral Commission and the Labour Party who are worried that it will leave people disenfranchised - and will disproportionately affect rental tenants, students, and minority ethnic voters in urban areas, people who are very much more likely to vote for them.

The matter is going to a Lords debate on Tuesday, and the commission has urged peers to vote against the timetabled deletion of people from the register.

Before you get too suspicious that the Conservatives are trying to destroy democracy and rule forever it’s worth noting that John Penrose, the cabinet minister behind the issue, has said that the people affected will definitely be contacted.

‘The chances of a genuine voter with a pulse who lives in a particular area being disenfranchised are vanishingly small,’ he said in a parliamentary debate.

But then, he would say that wouldn’t he?

(Image: Rex)