SNP and Greens hit out at voter ID plans

THE SNP and Scottish Greens have hit out at plans for voter identification contained in the Queen’s Speech, while the Scottish Secretary says it “delivers for Scotland”.

Proposals in the UK Government’s legislative programme would require voters to have photo identification in Westminster elections.

Of the 33 Bills set out in the Queen’s Speech, 30 will apply fully or in part to Scotland.

Those which apply fully include the Online Safety Bill, which will require social networks to tackle illegal content on their services and clearly set out in their terms what content is and is not acceptable. Legislation on borders is also expected to overhaul the asylum system.

The Electoral Integrity Bill, which includes the voter ID proposal, applies in part to Scotland – though the SNP says it does not support the voter ID requirement for Holyrood elections.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “This is a Queen’s Speech which delivers for people in Scotland, and right across the United Kingdom, as we focus entirely on recovering our economy and our public services from the devastating effects of the Covid pandemic.

“The Prime Minister and the UK Government have been working tirelessly on the pandemic, putting in place an unprecedented level of financial support, and securing millions of vaccine doses for people in all parts of the country.”

Responding to the speech, the SNP’s Westminster depute leader, Kirsten Oswald, said: “Boris Johnson’s Trumplike plans to disenfranchise thousands of voters across Scotland and the UK are an act of blatant Tory voter suppression – and must be stopped.

“There is a very real danger that many lower income, ethnic minority, and younger people will be prevented from voting to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.

“These laws are designed to suppress votes among groups that traditionally vote against the Tories. It’s a disgrace.”

Scottish Greens co-leader, Patrick Harvie, said the UK Government was not backing up its rhetoric on environmental change.

He said: “For rhetoric to mean anything it needs action and real investment in green jobs across the UK. But we’ve seen this government would rather hand out millions to their friends. There are also worrying signs of a further power grab by the Tories.”