Whilst we are all looking one way

I wonder if this change in law has anything to do with the forthcoming 2nd Scottish Independence Referendum? For Indyref1 it was the electoral Commission which decided (after consultation with the Scottish and Westminster Governments) what should be the question on the ballot paper. I dread to think how the question will be worded if it is solely in the UK Government's power to chose it.

It is all very worrying. Our democratic rights are being quietly eroded, bit by bit, by a government who blatantly lie and a Prime Minister who takes no responsibility for his lies and his actions. Are we like the boiling frog analogy?

The other worry now is that having taken away the right to peaceful protest - Patel now needs to be sought for permission to protest, we could well see an increase in riots as a result.

Yes, I think you're right about the knee-jerk reaction, Grandmabatty. It does seem ridiculous to require photo ID, no matter how easy they think they're making it for people to get it. Why should we have to, when voter impersonation is practically a non-existent crime?

Not that it matters, but she has never applied for one as my brother acts as her chauffeur. However, there will be other people who don't have photo ID for good reasons who will now be excluded. What will the electoral commission do about postal votes? I think it's been a knee jerk reaction to try to appeal to a certain type of voter.

“Does” not “dies” ???

I found this - which I hope is helpful, but why dies she not have a bus pass?

The list of approved photo ID will not be limited to UK passports or driving licences. A broad range of documents already in use will be accepted, including, for example, various concessionary travel passes, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) cards, and photocard parking permits issued as part of the Blue Badge scheme. In addition, expired photographic ID will be accepted as long as the photograph is of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm the identity of the holder.
For any voter who does not have one of the required forms of photographic ID, a free, local Voter Card will be available from their local authority

It is a very recent innovation of the government and yes, I live in UK, as does my mum. The local elections next week will be the last time we can use polling cards without a visual form of identification as well.

Are you in the U.K.?
I have never, ever had to show proof of identity or even produce my polling card -although I usually have it on me.
Surely she gets one?
All I have ever done is confirm my address, they look it up on a list, issue me with a voting slip and off I go to vote.
Of course if she is not in the U.K. things may be different.

She has no form of identification which has her face on it, which is a recent ploy of the government to stop illegal voters. Apparently there are almost no such beings but don't let that stand in the way of shrinking our rights.

Grandmabatty

They've also effectively disenfranchised people who don't have a visual form of identification. My mum is 87. She doesn't have a driving licence, passport or bus pass. She has voted conscientiously for decades but now will be unable to? Another Tory idea which is ill thought out.

I don’t quite follow Grandmabatty - why won’t she be able to vote?

They've also effectively disenfranchised people who don't have a visual form of identification. My mum is 87. She doesn't have a driving licence, passport or bus pass. She has voted conscientiously for decades but now will be unable to? Another Tory idea which is ill thought out.

This is all getting really scary now.

Keep educating me DA, WWM2, EG, OD, MD, et al on this page. It helps when I feel that all is lost which I do on a daily basis.

Another nail in democracies coffin, WWM. So sad. We have had most of our lives, but just what are we leaving future generations.

The elections watchdog is no longer independent.

Gove is in charge. He was also a member of vote leave that was found fraudulent by the electoral Commission.

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. How can this "free" country exert vigilance over how our democratic representatives are chosen if an independent Electoral Commission can't oversee fair elections?

Or if "Britons who have been overseas for more than 15 years . . permanently live abroad . . able to donate to political parties . . could pave the way for foreign interests to influence our politics (even more than they already do)"

It is the thin end of the wedge. Time to make a stand to stop the erosion of standards in government.

One intention by the government.

“Finally, to avoid imposing an undue burden on taxpayers’ funds and duplicating the work of the Crown Prosecution Service and Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland, we will legislate to expressly prevent the Commission from bringing criminal prosecutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This will not apply in Scotland where there is already a single prosecutorial authority”

Could we talk about specifics please?

This from Doug Cowan from the Electoral Reform Society:

The bill proposes Britons who have been overseas for more than 15 years would also be able to donate to political parties. Expanding the ability to make political donations to those who permanently live abroad could pave the way for foreign interests to influence our politics (even more than they already do).

While everyone on the electoral roll has a single vote, some can use their wealth to gain further influence. There is a basic British principle that those funding our parties should be domiciled here – indeed it is in law but not enacted. Businesses donating to parties must generate revenue here, so it seems fair that individuals wishing to funnel in funds from abroad should be able to prove a consistent connection to the UK.

We need clear, consistent principles for the funding of our parties in the modern age. Our Parliament and parties should not be available to the highest bidders around the world.

Voters should not accept a situation where tax exiles and shell companies are able to exert a disproportionate sway over our politics.

The Government should listen to these concerns and launch a comprehensive review of Britain’s loophole-ridden campaign rules.

Perhaps someone who is FOR the bill could explain why they they support it and why they oppose the ERS’s concerns.

volver

I prefer to think of it as the daily pro-democracy thread.

Anyway, what is their excuse WWM2? Why do they think we need it?

Might have something to do with it.

Vote Leave has today (Friday 29 March 2019) withdrawn its appeal and related proceedings against the Electoral Commission’s finding of multiple offences under electoral law, committed during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.

Vote Leave was the designated lead campaigner for the leave outcome at the referendum. We found that it broke the electoral rules set out by Parliament to ensure fairness, confidence and legitimacy at an electoral event. Serious offences such as these undermine public confidence in our system and it is vital, therefore, that they are properly investigated and sanctioned.

Vote Leave has now paid its £61,000 fine in full.

Beckett

Where the same people vent their spleen to each other while everyone else ignores them

You can contribute to this, you know.

How about answering my questions? Don't you care about democracy?

I do worry about the what this government is up to while people's attention is focused on other serious matters.

It's horrifying WWM. I suppose we could all subscribe and form a non-govermental Electoral Commission?

If this government is out at the next election, I hope everthing the incoming government finds is made public.

I think we have a Russian propoganda bot. Should it be reported? I thought they had updated them so they could converse and sound human.

Beckett

Where the same people vent their spleen to each other while everyone else ignores them

Yes, that sounds very like the current Parliament. Time for a change.

Beckett

Daily anti-Boris, anti-Tory post

What do you think is a democracy?