A load of ballots
Top Tory: Voter ID ‘tries to fix a problem not really there’
TURNOUT at next month’s local elections risks being reduced by the introduction of mandatory voter ID, an exTory Cabinet minister warns.
David Davis said the controversial multi-million pound policy risks having a “more deleterious effect” on voting than the issue the new law is attempting to solve.
The senior Tory MP told the Mirror he would like to see ministers delay the antifraud policy and re-think, but admitted the Government was unlikely to do so at this “late stage”.
Voters across England will have to show a form of photo ID for the first time when they head to the polls on May 4. But campaigners have warned there is a risk many will not bring the documents and be excluded. Polls show 27% of voters are not aware of the rule, prompting fears tens of thousands will miss out. And there has been a low take-up of the Government’s free Voter Authority Certificate – just over 40,000 people in England have applied so far. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis Mr Davis said of the voter ID policy: “I opposed it when it was proposed.
“It seems to me it is trying to solve a problem that’s not really there.”
Police issued just one caution for electoral fraud in 2022.
Mr Davis added: “It will undoubtedly reduce the turnout.
“If people turn up and haven’t got an ID with them or they don’t own an ID at all – it will reduce the likelihood of them voting.” Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner warned ministers were “failing in their duties” to make the public aware of the “unnecessary” policy. The Mirror is campaigning to encourage more people to register to vote. People without any acceptable photo ID voting in England have until April 25 to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. A Government spokesman said: “We cannot be complacent when it comes to ensuring that our democracy remains secure.”