Paisley MP Gavin slams voter ID plans as ‘a barrier to human rights’
Politician calls for rethink on bid for new ballot box regulations
An MP has branded plans to introduce voter ID at general elections as “ludicrous” and accused the UK Government of targeting the poorest in society.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, insisted the proposals announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson were an attempt to block democratic participation.
The policy, revealed in the Queen’s Speech last month, will mean anyone visiting the ballot box for a UK election will have to produce approved photographic ID before being able to vote.
The move is designed to tackle voter fraud which the UK Government says there is “inexcusable potential” for, with people only needing to provide a name and address when entering a polling station.
But the plan has sparked major controversy given there were only 33 allegations of personation – the offence of pretending to be someone else to vote – at the last general election and just one conviction.
Mr Newlands has claimed there is no justification for bringing in such a law, which he says would “create a barrier” to a “basic human right”.
“Boris Johnson’s ludicrous proposals around voter identification are nothing more than a cynical and hamfisted attempt to block democratic participation and are clearly targeted at the poorest in society,” said Mr Newlands.
“Not a single case of voter fraud has been proven to have taken place in Scotland over the last four years, yet we have the pound shop politicians of the Westminster government trying to place barriers in the way of basic human rights like voting.
“We have seen the effect similar tactics have had in the US, where farright extremists have used voter ID laws to systematically exclude millions of citizens – in particular from ethnic minority and poorer communities – from the democratic process in an effort to remain in power.
“We should have no truck with these repugnant tactics.”
The UK Government has claimed on its website that showing ID is something people “from all walks of life” do every day and described extending this practice to voting as “reasonable”.
Introducing the policy would bring Britain in line with Northern Ireland where photo ID is required to vote.
There is no set date for when it will become law, with the government stating there needs to be “sufficient time” for voters to understand the new requirements.
When it does come into play, acceptable forms of ID will include passports, driving licences, Ministry of Defence identity cards, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) cards, or Blue Badge photocard parking permits.
There are also plans to introduce free voter cards – which would be provided by councils – for those who do not have an approved form of ID.
The cost of these would be covered by the Cabinet Office.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “In our current electoral system, there is inexcusable potential for someone to cast another’s vote at the polling station.
“That is why we are bringing forward legislation to stamp out the potential for fraud. Newly published research shows 98 per cent of people already have the identification required and we will work with the electoral sector and make the new requirements clear to the public in advance of elections.”
Not a single case of voter fraud has been proven to have taken place in Scotland over the last four years
MP Gavin Newlands