Independent 19 December 2019 - article by Andrew Woodcock
© Provided by The Independent
Boris Johnson has confirmed plans to press ahead with new requirements for photographic ID at polling stations, in the face of accusations that the move is designed to suppress voting by young people and disadvantaged groups.
The prime minister faced immediate calls to ditch the "dangerous" proposal from the Electoral Reform Society, which warned: "Make no mistake – these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless."
Campaigners accused the PM of taking action on an "imaginary" problem while ignoring more serious threats to British democracy, such as anonymous political ads, dodgy donations and fake news.
Meanwhile, the 15-year limit on expats voting in general elections is to be lifted, allowing UK citizens living abroad to continue casting their ballots for the rest of their lives. Traditionally this has been seen as a way of boosting the Conservative vote, though Mr Johnson risks a backlash from the million-plus UK citizens in the EU who overwhelmingly supported Remain in the 2016 referendum but were denied a vote.
Boris Johnson has confirmed plans to press ahead with new requirements for photographic ID at polling stations, in the face of accusations that the move is designed to suppress voting by young people and disadvantaged groups.
The prime minister faced immediate calls to ditch the "dangerous" proposal from the Electoral Reform Society, which warned: "Make no mistake – these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless."
Campaigners accused the PM of taking action on an "imaginary" problem while ignoring more serious threats to British democracy, such as anonymous political ads, dodgy donations and fake news.
Meanwhile, the 15-year limit on expats voting in general elections is to be lifted, allowing UK citizens living abroad to continue casting their ballots for the rest of their lives. Traditionally this has been seen as a way of boosting the Conservative vote, though Mr Johnson risks a backlash from the million-plus UK citizens in the EU who overwhelmingly supported Remain in the 2016 referendum but were denied a vote.
Proposals for voter ID sparked howls of outrage when they were included in October’s Queen’s Speech, with Labour accusing the government of trying to rig the result of the next general election.
A trial of the scheme in local elections this year saw around 800 people turned away from polling stations.
As in October, the government has attempted to allay concerns that the poor will be priced out of voting, by confirming plans for a new free-of-charge “local electoral identity document” for those without passports or driving licences.
But ERS director of policy and research Jess Garland said: “When millions of people lack photo ID, these plans risk raising the drawbridge to huge numbers of marginalised voters.
“Despite the efforts of experts and campaigners, government have so far sat on their hands in the face of the actual threats to electoral integrity - anonymous ‘dark ads’, dodgy donations and disinformation. Yet now, just days after securing a majority, the government now seeks to invest in fighting an imaginary problem.
“Make no mistake – these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless. Ministers should focus on combating the real threats to our democracy, rather than suppressing voters’ rights.
"The government has no examples to justify this 'show your papers' policy. There is simply no evidence of widespread impersonation. Simply put, ministers must think again and withdraw this dangerous proposal.”
The move forms part of a wider reform of arrangements for voting, also including the tightening of rules around the use of postal votes, following years of allegations from Tory MPs that the system was being abused.
Campaigners will be banned from handling postal votes, and a new power will limit the number of postal votes any individual can hand in.
Voters will have to renew their registration to vote by post every three years, rather than remaining on the list indefinitely.
And individuals will be banned from acting as proxy to more than two other voters, regardless of their relationship.
People unable to get to the polling station - whether because of disability, temporary illness or being away from home - can arrange for someone else to act as their proxy to vote on their behalf. Currently, there is an exemption to the two-proxy vote limit for those casting votes on behalf of close relations.
A drive by Remain supporters saw more than 1,000 proxy votes cast in last week's election on behalf of expats who did not trust the postal system to get their ballot papers in on time.
