Sadiq Khan urges changes to voter ID rules to stop thousands losing vote in 2024

07 October 2023 , 16:35

896     0

London mayor Sadiq Khan called on the government to expand the list of acceptable identification for younger voters (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Ministers must make urgent changes to allow more types of ID at polling stations, or thousands will lose their right to vote, Sadiq Khan has warned.

Speaking ahead of Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, the London mayor called on the government to expand the list of acceptable identification for younger voters. And he demanded a better funded ad campaign to make sure people are aware of the Tories’ new voter ID law before next year’s General Election.

It comes as new research found as many as 20% of people aged 18-34 in London have no form of photo ID, compared to just 10% of those over 65. Similarly, 85% of white voters said they definitely know how to locate suitable ID, compared to 63% of ethnic minority voters, according to a survey of Londoners by Opinium. Overall, 15% of Londoners said they currently didn’t have a form of photo ID. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission’s research into the 2023 local elections found areas with the most deprivation saw a higher proportion of people turned away for not having the right ID.

New research found as many as 20% of people aged 18-34 in London have no form of photo ID (PA)

“As things stand there’s a real possibility that thousands of voters will be turned away from polling stations through no fault of their own, which could affect the outcome,” Mr Khan told this newspaper. “The evidence is clear that it will be young people, ethnic minorities and those from poorer communities who will be affected most by this cynical assault on voting-rights.

“Alongside expanding the list of eligible ID for younger voters, ministers must urgently bring forward a better resourced public awareness campaign to reach the voters most impacted by these changes.”

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Current rules allow discount travel cards for pensioners as proof of identity at polling stations, but not student ID or young peoples’ travel cards. The government says this is due to checks on pensioners travel cards being more stringent.

Mr Khan added: “We simply can’t have a situation where thousands of Londoners are locked out of the political process.”

Mikey Smith