New proposals for voter identification.

Yes it is a threat to democracy, but no more so than the same scheme proposed by Trump.

What is it with these populists that they are so focused on reducing the voting population by whatever means they can?

Why are they so scared of the vote?

It shows how complacent the voter has become though. This wouldn’t never have passed without a real struggle during the last century. People hadn’t long got full enfranchisement and valued it too much to allow governments to begin to whittle it away.

I just looked at the parliamentary berifing on this, partly as I have not strong views either way about it. Below are some quotes from it and a link.

"Research commissioned by the Government found 96% of respondents had suitable photo ID with a recognisable picture.

Voters in Northern Ireland must provide photo ID before they are given a ballot paper. Electoral Commission research found little evidence that the ID requirements in Northern Ireland have affected turnout and the allegations of personation have been eliminated.

Since 2014, the Electoral Commission has recommended that photo ID should be required in the rest of the UK. The Commission recommends that any voter ID system should mirror that in Northern Ireland. Voters in Northern Ireland without access to approved photo ID can apply for a free photographic electoral ID card to ensure people without existing ID can still vote.

commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9187/

Apparently photo ID requirements for voting have been introduced in Canada with no particular problems. I wonder how many (and which) other countries require it.

Quick check via google suggests that most other countries require some form of ID before you can vote. ?‍♀️

This is interesting ?
www.dailysignal.com/2021/06/01/in-europe-voter-id-is-the-norm/

It isn’t a problem, other countries take this precaution so why shouldn’t we? It isn’t something slipped in under the radar, it’s something that has been talked about for several years..if you don’t mind producing your driving licence or passport for other things, then why would you when voting, unless you have something to hide.

I think it is a good idea tbh.
No cheating votes.

I don’t see the problem frankly. The tiny percentage who don’t have photo ID are not being disenfranchised. A free photo ID card is being offered.
I would expect that these people are more likely to have, or would appreciate postal votes.
Fuss about nothing. It in no way threatens democracy.

We've had this debate on here before. That's not a criticism, because its so important and we should talk about it a lot.

So, here's my prediction for what will happen.

People will come along and tell us that other countries do it, that most people have photo id anyway, that its a real problem that we have to put a stop to and - best of all - if you've nothing to hide you've nothing to fear.

I do wonder if there will be an overlap between the people who wanted us to take back control and those who want to control who gets to vote.

In answer to your question GillT57, yes its a threat to democracy. What can we do about it?

Why? when there is no proven need?

Oh look - it started while I was typing!!

Alegrias1

Oh look - it started while I was typing!!

??. It is all so depressingly predictable

Good post Baggs 14.31

Yes, depressingly predictable is exactly what I thought when reading your comments Algerias ...... the phrase ‘could start a fight in an empty room’ sprang to mind. Does only your point of view count on here? No, is the short answer.
Some people are of the view that having to provide any sort of
Accountability of who you are when voting is a cheek, and others will be on the fence about it and others not mind showing their driving licence or other ID. To say it’s a threat to democracy is several strides too far.If other democratic countries have adopted this way to eliminate any electoral fraud and it works well, then I would think we could do the same here.
Any time now there will be a mention of ‘jackboots’ and that’s
my prediction.?

Whitewavemark2

Alegrias1

Oh look - it started while I was typing!!

??. It is all so depressingly predictable

Not only that but people never seem to make the link that, in the overwhelming number of countries who require this, it can only really be done without significantly disenfranchising people because they already have national ID cards.

There are people who somehow manage to exist without a national ID card, but given that there are issued mostly at birth and it's almost impossible to get by without one it's a very small number.

What's being proposed here is the usual patchwork of maybe a passport (which my mother and father never held) or a driver's licence (which my mother never held) or a a card you apply for (which she wouldn't have applied for in the last ten years of her life).

As many other people are saying, one way or the other, if the government proposes a solution it's incumbent upon them to actually demonstrate that there is a problem.

Can’t see a problem with it
A benefit for those without a passport or a driving license they will now have some photographic ID

A benefit for those without a passport or a driving license they will now have some photographic ID

Why do they need one? My mum's lasted 83 years without one, why start now?

rosie1959

Can’t see a problem with it
A benefit for those without a passport or a driving license they will now have some photographic ID

Rosie1959 I agree especially if it can be used for banking etc where you need photo ID to open an account to meet the money laundering regulations.

lemongrove

Yes, depressingly predictable is exactly what I thought when reading your comments Algerias ...... the phrase ‘could start a fight in an empty room’ sprang to mind. Does only your point of view count on here? No, is the short answer.
Some people are of the view that having to provide any sort of
Accountability of who you are when voting is a cheek, and others will be on the fence about it and others not mind showing their driving licence or other ID. To say it’s a threat to democracy is several strides too far.If other democratic countries have adopted this way to eliminate any electoral fraud and it works well, then I would think we could do the same here.
Any time now there will be a mention of ‘jackboots’ and that’s
my prediction.?

Wow! Just that.

Why not start now? Just because something hasn’t been done in the past, doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.
Anything which proves you are who you say you are when voting can only be a good thing.
As long as photo ID is free to those who need them ( a tiny amount of the population) I see no problem at all.

I cannot see a problem and a good thing for those that do not have photo ID at present.

Alegrias1

^A benefit for those without a passport or a driving license they will now have some photographic ID^

Why do they need one? My mum's lasted 83 years without one, why start now?

Times are changing try opening a bank account or taking out a mortgage

I don't think my 83 year old mum needs a mortgage.

Alegrias1

I don't think my 83 year old mum needs a mortgage.

Not just a mortgage Alegrias. Dh has a lot of problems with elderly clients who don’t have any photo ID.

Does she need a blue badge? That’s what my 99 yr old mum uses for ID.