![]() | |
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. |
---|---|
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:
Following the passage of the Recall of MPs Act 2015, sitting MPs imprisoned on shorter sentences can be removed from their seats via recall petitions.