Government twisting rules of democracy

The Conservative government is currently pushing the Elections Bill through Parliament.

This Bill attacks our fundamental rights as citizens and seriously undermines democracy in this country.

The most controversial measure requires voters to show photo ID before getting a ballot paper in a polling station at parliamentary and local elections in England.

Voters will need to show a driving licence, passport or obtain a free card from their local authority to vote at the local elections in Bath and NE Somerset in 2023.

There is no evidence that impersonation at polling stations is a problem but people who do not have photo ID will be put off, or prevented from voting.

The Electoral Reform Society, which opposes the voter ID move, has pointed out that “in the UK and US, the richer you are the more likely you are to have ID.

Many citizens who can’t afford to go on foreign holidays don’t have passports, and those that can’t drive don’t have driving licences.”

Many charities including Age UK, and Save the Children as well as the TUC, have opposed these changes stating that older voters, people who are disabled and people from ethnic minority communities will be disproportionately affected.

This is a shameful act of voter suppression and an attempt to exclude those citizens who are less likely to vote Conservative.

This proposal will also come at a high price as the changes are estimated to cost £120 million nationally in the first decade.

Bath and NE Somerset cannot afford to spend additional money on a system that is

neither fair nor necessary.

In addition to the controversial voter ID plans, the Elections Bill includes other changes to the administration and conduct of elections.

Currently, British nationals who have lived abroad for more than 15 years are barred from voting or donating to UK parties. The Bill would scrap this time limit.

The Labour Party believes this change is intended purely to benefit the Conservatives, given the number of major donors the party has who live overseas.

The party’s biggest donor in 2019 was the theatre producer John

Gore, who is based in the Bahamas.

There are new rules on non party political spending which could affect groups such as charities, but is particularly aimed at trade unions and so will have a major impact on the Labour Party.

There are also changes to postal vote regulations which will make this process more complicated.

The Electoral Commission which polices fairness in elections will remain independent in theory. However, the Bill will require the Commission to take account of policy laid down by the Cabinet Office’s Secretary of State, currently Michael Gove.

This will open the door for political interference in the Commission’s work and its enforcement priorities.

This Bill has been rushed through Parliament whilst the country has been preoccupied with the pandemic in the hope that nobody will notice.

Cat Smith, the Shadow Minister for Democracy said: “The Conservative government’s Elections Bill is a brazen attack on our democracy and the freedom of people to organise politically.

“The ability of trade unions and civil society organisations to engage and campaign are vital components of any free and democratic society. This is all about the government rigging democracy in favour of the Conservative party.”

The Labour Party has voted against this Bill in Parliament, you can object by signing the petition on the Electoral Reform Society’s website.

Pam Richards

Chair, Bath Constituency Labour Party