Tory MP has no voter ID to vote. Military veteran can't use his voter ID to vote

[cakeorwine]

What a shambles.

A Tory MP hasn't got any voter ID - so had to ask someone to vote for him by proxy.

An Afghanistan veteran used his veteran's card - and that's not on the list so couldn't vote.

Minister ‘sorry’ as veterans find ID cards not valid for English elections | Local elections 2024 | The Guardian

Is this what they planned - or is it a fuck up?

Johny Mercer will be looking at it for veterans - who will be looking at it for other people who haven't got ID.

The Tory MP blamed his dyspraxia. I hope he advocates in Parliament for other people who struggle to get ID. Or will that mean showing empathy?

I hope they look at what voter ID is needed over the next few months

When Johnson introduced voter ID......

https://x.com/AdamBienkov/status/1651163616039829505

When I asked Boris Johnson if his voter ID plan was an attempt at voter suppression he described it as "total nonsense".

It's not about sympathy. It's about voter suppression. If you assume (for example) that 90% of the electorate are clever, motivated, organised enough to do this, 10% aren't. Those people who would have voted, but now can't. There are people for whom this is true.

Voting is also for the thick, unmotivated and disorganised. Because that's democracy. If someone wants to vote, and they are eligible to vote, they should be able to, with no additional effort.

People typically do things that are EAST; easy, attractive, social and timely. If you make it less easy, some people won't do it.

Votes for All.

MrsTerryPratchett
It's not about sympathy. It's about voter suppression.

The Electoral Commission have been calling for voter photo ID since 2014;

Recommendations for the introduction of photo ID at polling stations.

The Commission published its own recommendations for a system that would require voters to show photo ID at polling stations on 8 December 2015. This was fulfilling a commitment made in the Commission’s own review into electoral fraud vulnerabilities, published in January 2014 which concluded that polling station voting in Great Britain remains vulnerable to personation fraud.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/media-centre/electoral-commission-statement-sir-eric-pickles-review-electoral-fraud

I think we established some time ago that he does not think, and certainly does not think that the law applies to him.

From that report:

"As noted, if the photo ID requirements are prescribed as widely as possible, we estimate that approximately 7.5% of the Great Britain electorate would be without suitable photo ID and would therefore need to apply for a Voter Card. The vast majority of electors would therefore not need a Voter Card and would bring another approved form of ID with them to the polling station"

The issue is - it requires people to actively do something to be able to get the card to vote.

And we know with human behaviour that having to actively do means that people are more likely not do it and stick with "doing nothing" - look at organ donation being opt in unless you actively do something and opt out.

According to the Mirror, Johnson only had an envelope with his name and address on it.

Ah, this quote from 2004 explains it

To be fair even if you're thick, unmotivated and disorganised you do still have to register to vote and it does require some effort to organise that. I don't see needing ID is any more or less voter suppression that actually registering in the first place.

They had plenty of time like the rest of us.

With the current state of affairs voter ID is essential. It shouldn’t have to be this way but unfortunately it is.

Moving house I had to produce proof estate agents, ditto solicitor, at my bank had to produce photo ID to open a new savings account. I've decided to keep my passport going even if I stop driving. It's worrying.

Best tell JRM because he was sure that voter ID would lead to supression of voters he didn't like. But then he is famous for his common sense.

Voter fraud was never an issue in this country.
This was brought in to exclude people who don't vote Tory
Not everyone has a passport or driving licence.
As for voter id another expensive not required scheme.

"A No 10 spokeswoman said: "It is our intention for the new Veteran Card, which was rolled out in January, to be added to the official list."
The government is consulting on adding the card to the list of acceptable voter ID, which already includes armed forces identity cards."

But will they do student ID cards, Young Person's Railcards, Young Persons travel cards - I guess not....

Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission

What current state of affairs makes voter ID essential?

The fact that every single other state in Europe requires voter ID and that the UK (NI excepted) is the last to introduce it means that it's "clearly a non-tory voter suppression move". No, sorry I don't buy that.

The main issue is that the British (in general) appear to be resistant towards having ID cards.

Despite happily having Work ID, driving licenses, facial recognition on phones, passports....

(I've lived in countries with compulsory ID. I needed to show it once, after witnessing a car accident. It was hardly intrusive)

Grant Shapps?

I honestly don't get the idea that voter ID was brought in to exclude people who don't vote Tory. Practically everyone in the country has access to the Internet and can order a free voter ID form, or has a passport, drivers licence etc.
Aa far as I can see the only people it could deter are those who can't be bothered and I think its a bit unfair to assume they are all labour/lib dems.

You are saying you don't believe the inspirational Jacob Rees Mogg, famed for his common sense?

https://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-suggests-requiring-photo-id-to-vote-was-attempt-to-gerrymander-which-came-back-to-bite-tories-12881602

You have no idea how many struggle with digital skills, literacy,,numeracy,no photo id.
These are hardly the issues that would affect your average Tory voter.
I speak from experience for a parent who is wholly reliant on my sister and my own spouse who is equally reliant on me bear in mind not everyone has this support.

What is the logic behind this?

It’s not expensive, and most countries require voter ID.

Compulsory ID should be a requirement in this country- we are very backward about a lot of things and this is one of them.

The British just like to whine.

According to Full Fact:
The two cards are treated differently because they have different application requirements—the 60+ Oyster card requires proof of age and address, while the 18+ Student Oyster card doesn’t. The government has also said the 60+ Oyster card is valid despite having lower security than major forms of ID to “cater to” demographics less likely to have other ID. Some research suggests those aged 70+ are slightly less likely to have photo ID than those aged 18-29.

Which seems reasonable IMO.

I think Boris did it deliberately to get attention.