Tory plans for compulsory voter ID at UK elections risks 'locking ordinary people out of democracy'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Campaigners have warned that Tory plans to make it compulsory for voters to show photographic ID at UK elections risks "locking ordinary people out of democracy".

The UK Government is pushing ahead with its controversial Elections Bill despite opposition from both the SNP and Labour. It could see voters turned away at polling stations at future UK-wide elections or referendums if they are unable to present a passport or driving licence.

Tory ministers claim such a move is required to clamp down on electoral fraud despite little evidence of it.The UK Government announced this week it expects voter ID rules will be in place by spring 2023.It claims a new "voter card" scheme will allow the public to apply for a free ID if they don't have a passport or drivers licence.But there are fears the law change is a deliberate tactic to make it harder for certain sections of society to vote.Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, told the Record: "There already exists a significant gap in voter turnout between people on low and high incomes, which is something that has profound consequences for our political system."Politicians of all stripes should be focused on closing that gap, to ensure the strength of our democracy and guarantee the representation of all of our communities."He added: "It is deeply concerning that the UK Government are bringing forward these proposals which - given that people on low incomes are less likely to have passports or driving licences - threaten to disenfranchise people across the country."The repercussions of this ill-thought-out legislation will be serious, with even-greater exclusion and disconnection from political processes.