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Expensive Voter ID scheme is neither necessary nor proportionate

The UK government’s Election Bill containing controversial Voter ID provisions is progressing with haste through parliament this month, despite significant alarm over its potential impact. Whilst the government claims the bill will increase ballot security,...

Posted 22 Oct 2021

The government should pause and think again about this legislation

Sweeping undemocratic changes are being rushed through without consultation

A major change to the voting system for Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners has been slipped into the Elections Bill at Committee Stage – after MPs and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee...

Posted 06 Oct 2021

We urge ministers to pause and rethink this legislation

Scottish Government refuses to recommend consent for Elections Bill

The Scottish government is standing up to Westminster on legislation that would see voter ID imposed on UK elections held in Scotland. Deputy First Minister John Swinney lodged a ‘legislation consent memorandum’ in the Scottish...

Posted 01 Oct 2021

The Holyrood Government is right to oppose it and should hold firm

22 Welsh organisations warn voter ID plans could leave vulnerable voters locked out

At a time when we should be thinking about how to remove the barriers to our democracy, the UK Government is instead introducing a policy that could leave millions shut out. Provisions in the Elections...

Posted 14 Sep 2021

Nearly 300,000 signatures handed to No 10 over undemocratic voter ID plans

Campaign groups handed in nearly 300,000 petition signatures to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, calling for the government to scrap plans to ban those without ID from voting.

Posted 09 Sep 2021

Voter ID could breach fundamental rights, MPs warn

The ERS gave evidence to the committee’s enquiry with Dr Jess Garland telling MPs and Peers that it was “implausible” to suggest that fraud by personation – trying to vote under a false identity –...

Posted 03 Sep 2021

Make no mistake, voter ID will see legitimate voters turned away

Voter ID: Thousands tell the government: “Hands off our vote”

Over 50,000 people have now signed the Electoral Reform Society’s petition urging ministers to scrap plans to impose mandatory voter ID – amid growing fears that millions of people could be locked out of democracy....

Posted 03 Sep 2021

The proposals could disenfranchise voters on an industrial scale

Welsh youth will be the collateral of Westminster’s voter ID laws

The Queen’s Speech on the 17th May outlined the UK Government’s plans to implement Voter ID in UK elections.

Posted 10 Aug 2021

What is the Elections Bill? And why is it an issue?

Earlier this month, the government published its long-awaited Elections Bill which makes changes to the administration and conduct of elections with the stated aim of ensuring that ‘UK elections remain secure, fair, modern, inclusive and...

Posted 23 Jul 2021

The bill fails to tackle the fundamental issues with our electoral law

Exclusive: Ministers just made an astonishing admission about mandatory voter ID

By the government’s own admission – and research – mandatory ID could pull up the drawbridge to millions of voters.

Posted 18 Jul 2021