{"id":58906,"date":"2021-09-01T09:15:09","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T08:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/?p=58906"},"modified":"2021-09-01T09:15:09","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T08:15:09","slug":"the-governments-elections-bill-could-disenfranchise-over-two-million-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/2021\/09\/01\/the-governments-elections-bill-could-disenfranchise-over-two-million-voters\/","title":{"rendered":"The government\u2019s Elections Bill could disenfranchise over two million voters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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I thought this press release from the Electoral Reform Society worth sharing:<\/em><\/p>\n
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The government\u2019s Elections Bill could disenfranchise over two million voters [1], according to the government\u2019s own figures, campaigners warn today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The legislation \u2013 branded the \u2018Elections Chaos Bill\u2019 by the Electoral Reform Society \u2013 will see voters forced to show ID in General Elections, all elections in England and PCC votes in Scotland and Wales.<\/p>\n

The bill has its second reading on Tuesday 7th<\/sup>\u00a0September, suggesting it is a priority for the government as Britain continues to struggle with the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Around 150,000 people have signed petitions against ID [2], opposing what they deem a \u2018dangerous distraction\u2019 at a cost of up to \u00a320m per General Election [3]. The ERS are calling for as many people as possible to\u00a0sign the petition<\/a>\u00a0against the plans this week.<\/p>\n

MPs across the spectrum \u2013 from the Conservatives\u2019 David Davis to Labour\u2019s Dawn Butler have expressed their opposition to this scheme, and voters are speaking up in large numbers.<\/p>\n

The Elections Bill will also introduce unprecedented government control over the UK\u2019s independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, in what a coalition of civil society groups are branding a \u2018government power grab\u2019 \u2013 as well as imposing new campaigning restrictions on charities and non-profits [4].<\/p>\n

Dr Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research at the Electoral Reform Society, said:<\/strong>
\n\u201cMore than two million voters lack recognisable photo ID, according to the government\u2019s own figures. This is the biggest change to voting in generations and it poses a huge risk to democratic equality.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no evidence to justify this heavy-handed plan, when we know the real threats to political integrity are unregulated lobbying, dodgy donations and foreign interference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese proposals could disenfranchise voters on an industrial scale, at huge cost. While ministers have promised a \u2018free\u2019 ID, we are yet to see the details. There are huge risks asking stretched councils to both provide new IDs and become bouncers of the ballot box.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe calls to scrap this dangerous ID policy are growing by the day. These petitions are a snapshot of the increasing anger from across society at this undemocratic and unnecessary plan. It is time to defend the right to vote.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s vital that all MPs and peers stand up for the right to vote and challenge this costly legislation head on.<\/p>\n

\u201cMinisters should be tackling the real issues in our politics: cleaning up Britain\u2019s broken political funding, bringing in the nine million people who are missing from the electoral roll altogether, and \u2013 crucially \u2013 reforming Westminster\u2019s one-party-takes-all voting system. Our electoral system is already unequal. The last thing we need is this attack on voters' rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notes to Editors<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

[1] Elections Bill:\u00a0https:\/\/bills.parliament.uk\/bills\/3020<\/a>\u00a0Background here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.electoral-reform.org.uk\/what-is-the-elections-bill-and-why-is-it-an-issue\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Read the ERS\u2019 briefing on the planned imposition of voter ID:\u00a0https:\/\/www.electoral-reform.org.uk\/latest-news-and-research\/parliamentary-briefings\/briefing-on-the-introduction-of-voter-id-westminster-hall-debate-13th-july\/<\/a><\/p>\n

More than two million people at risk of being locked out:\u00a0https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2021\/may\/11\/more-than-2m-voters-may-lack-photo-id-required-under-new-uk-bill<\/a><\/p>\n

The government has admitted this fact:\u00a0https:\/\/www.electoral-reform.org.uk\/exclusive-ministers-just-made-an-astonishing-admission-about-mandatory-voter-id\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[2] 43,000 signatures on the ERS\u2019 voter ID petition:\u00a0https:\/\/action.electoral-reform.org.uk\/page\/35710\/petition\/1?locale=en-GB<\/a><\/p>\n

102,000 on the government e-petition \u2013 rejected for a debate by authorities:\u00a0https:\/\/petition.parliament.uk\/petitions\/576024<\/a><\/p>\n

[3] Up to \u00a320m per election for the government\u2019s strict photo ID requirements\u00a0https:\/\/www.publicfinance.co.uk\/news\/2018\/08\/rolling-out-voter-id-could-cost-ps20m<\/a><\/p>\n

[4]\u00a0https:\/\/www.theelectionsbill.co.uk\/<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Our mailing address is:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Electoral Reform Society<\/p>\n

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15 Blye Lion Place<\/div>\n

LONDON,\u00a0Greater London\u00a0SE1 9SG<\/p>\n

United Kingdom<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I thought this press release from the Electoral Reform Society worth sharing: The government\u2019s Elections Bill could disenfranchise over two million voters [1], according to
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