Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the Elections Bill and for raising your concerns about it. I have concerns about elements of this bill as well, particularly around the provisions to require photographic identification for votes in person.
I believe that voting is a fundamental right and should never be made more difficult without clear and compelling reason. Ministers have cited the risk of electoral fraud as the main justification for these changes, but the evidence I have seen points to in-person voting fraud being incredibly rare. I do not believe that there is a clear case to make such a significant change to a voting system that has served us well for so long.
While I do not suggest- as some critics of the proposals have - that the Government is seeking to deliberately disenfranchise anyone, I do think that they are underestimating the risk that some people will be prevented from voting who have every right to do so. I am particularly concerned about elderly people who may not have easy access to photographic ID, particularly in rural constituencies like ours. The Government is proposing a system whereby voters who lack photo ID would be able to request a special form of identification designed for voting, but I am concerned that no system will capture everyone, particularly when it is first introduced.
It is clear that the Government is determined to press ahead with some form of formal identification for voting, and the issue now being debated and voted on is about exactly what form of ID is acceptable and what compromises the Government is prepared to make.
I am afraid that amendments tabled in the House of Lords to expand the list of available ID options - whilst well intentioned - would make the situation worse rather than better, and I will be unable to support them as currently set out.
Thank you again for writing to me.
