Tory Voter ID failings alarm ahead of general election as peers demand changes

19 December 2023 , 00:01

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Ministers have been urged to urgently change the rules around voter ID (Image: Birmingham Mail)

Changes to the Tory voter ID clampdown are desperately needed to stop people being locked out at the next general election, peers warn.

Ministers have been warned that the rules - which require people to show valid proof of their identity in order to vote - risk locking tens of thousands of people out. Peers said awareness of rules is "unacceptably low", and called for more forms of ID, such as rail passes, to be permitted. They also said people with acceptable documents should be able to vouch for those who don't.

In a letter to Local Government Minister Simon Hoare, the cross-party House of Lords Constitution Committee said a number of groups, including disabled people, over-85s and the unemployed, are less likely to have the ID they need. It is estimated that 4% of adults are currently unable to vote because of the rules, which were introduced ahead of council elections in the spring.

Thousands were turned away in May, and even more could face the same fate next year, peers warn. A probe found that homeless people, those living in refuges, the trans community and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are also among the groups least likely to have valid ID. This creates "increased risk" to successful elections, members said.

The Government was urged to do more to make sure people are aware - including publicising the availability of free Voter Authority Certificates for those without acceptable ID. Some areas of England, Scotland and Wales are yet to hold an election since Voter ID came in, sparking fears of more confusion.

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Peers also criticised the Government for not making it compulsory for local authorities to collect data on the number of people unable to vote. Baroness Jean Drake, who chairs the committee, said the electoral sector is "under a concerning degree of strain" which is made worse by new rules, including voter ID.

The letter states: "The decision to introduce multiple changes to the electoral system simultaneously or in quick succession has placed a significant burden on a system with limited resilience and has introduced increased risk to the successful delivery of elections. Scheduling the next general election ahead of the May 2024 local elections or combining a general election with the local elections could exacerbate this risk."

The Mirror launched a Get ID, Get a Vote campaign in the run-up to this spring’s ballots. Acceptable forms include a passport, driving licence and blue badges. Free ID through a Voter Authority Certificate is also available.

Dave Burke