The PM has defended plans to require voters to prove their identity before casting ballots, despite condemnation from civil liberties groups and senior MPs on both sides of the Commons. Despite admitting that there had been only six cases of voter fraud at the last election, they are pushing on with it anyway.
The Prime Minister said on Monday that it was “complete nonsense” to suggest he was trying to supress the votes of those who do not back the Tories by introducing the identification requirement.
Downing Street insisted it was a “reasonable approach” and that 99.6% of people in pilots requiring people to show photographic ID had managed to vote without difficulty.
Mr Johnson said the move, to be included in the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday, is necessary to “protect democracy”, but Tory former Cabinet minister David Davis said it was an “illiberal solution for a non-existent problem”.
Campaigners also warned that people without ID would be disenfranchised as a result of the move, especially those in marginalised groups.
But asked if he was trying to limit votes for opposition parties, the Prime Minister told the Downing Street press conference: “I would say that was complete nonsense and what we want to do is to protect democracy, the transparency and the integrity of the electoral process, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask first-time voters to produce some evidence of identity.”
Reactions
1.
Surely real democracy is about making it easier for people to cast legal votes?
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) May 11, 2021
2.
So how many of you are wondering which tory MP has a directorship or shares in a company that makes ID cards???
— Anne Laird (@AnneLai31821380) May 10, 2021
3.
You know how in school there was that almost certainly made up story about a lazy kid copying someone's French homework, but being so dumb they also copied the name at the top?
— Dmitry Grozoubinski (@DmitryOpines) May 11, 2021
That's kinda what the UK government importing the Voter ID fight from America feels like.
4.
? Passport: £85
— Cat Smith MP ?? (@CatSmithMP) May 10, 2021
? Driving Licence £43
? Democracy: priceless
This policy will put up obstacles for poorer voters. It wants in the bin ? https://t.co/ZIHwvooISx
5.
After Matt Hancock says six cases of voter fraud is ‘six too many’, the UK’s 280,000 homeless people ask for a quick word.
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) May 11, 2021
6.
Kind of ironic a guy who can't ID many of his own children wants young people to have ID not to vote for him. pic.twitter.com/qOyHShWx3F
— Paul Bishop ? We're waist deep in the Big Muddy (@PaulPJB) May 11, 2021
7.
Not everyone has passports & driving licences. Passports & driving licences cost money. Thrilled democracy is going to be something you have to pay for. https://t.co/iMMQsF41Hw
— Rosie Holt (@RosieisaHolt) May 11, 2021
8.
https://t.co/1kiizKdcjy pic.twitter.com/NuY9XdfqO1
— Rainbow Warrior ?#IAmEuropean #GTTO #FBPE ?? ? (@SandraDunn1955) May 11, 2021
9.
Anyone else a teeny tad concerned about the voter ID..even if you agree with ID Cards ( which I don't) can't they think their money is spent better elsewhere than trying to stop virtually non-existent voter fraud. You know..improving peoples lives maybe?
— Deborah Meaden ? (@DeborahMeaden) May 11, 2021
10.
Anyone else a teeny tad concerned about the voter ID..even if you agree with ID Cards ( which I don't) can't they think their money is spent better elsewhere than trying to stop virtually non-existent voter fraud. You know..improving peoples lives maybe?
— Deborah Meaden ? (@DeborahMeaden) May 11, 2021
11.
Anyone else a teeny tad concerned about the voter ID..even if you agree with ID Cards ( which I don't) can't they think their money is spent better elsewhere than trying to stop virtually non-existent voter fraud. You know..improving peoples lives maybe?
— Deborah Meaden ? (@DeborahMeaden) May 11, 2021
12.
That pin-striped snake Jacob Rees-Mogg explaining how requiring voter ID at polling stations will prevent a problem that hasn't yet arisen made me choke on my lunch. It's a blatant attempt to stop poor people voting, and nothing else.
— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) May 11, 2021
13.
If Matt Hancock thinks six cases of voter fraud is six too many I'd like to hear his view on 150,000+ largely preventable deaths.
— Katy (@KatyJayne101) May 11, 2021
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