The Conservative government has passed an Anti-Democratic law to spend £180m banning people who don’t have ID from voting despite little evidence that voter fraud is an issue in England.  

No voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in elections.  

This will apply to the local elections on 4th May 2023.  

Evidence from around the world shows that forcing voters to bring photographic ID to the polling station just makes it harder for people to vote – while doing little to increase faith in the integrity of the system. The Government’s own data shows their scheme could cost up to £180,000,000 a decade. In addition, their own limited impact assessment of the legislation shows that women, young people and BAME communities are less likely to have appropriate I.D. to vote. Don’t let the Tories suppress your vote!

The Tories claim that the law will reduce voter fraud but there is no supporting evidence that this is an issue in the UK. According to the Electoral Commission, 80 percent of people are confident that elections are well run, 87 percent said voting is safe from fraud and abuse, and 90 percent that voting at the polling station is safe. In 2019, there were only 33 allegations of impersonation at the polling station, out of over 58 million votes cast. This is not an issue that needs tackling.

So why then, rather than focussing on the 9 million people missing from our electoral registers and encouraging them to vote, has the Government taken the decision to spend resources and time pushing through this legal change? The changes have been enforced to support a traditional Conservative voter base such as the over 60s with 60+Oyster Cards accepted as ID but Student Oyster Cards not valid. Its own impact assessment has proven that groups more likely to vote for Labour are less likely to have appropriate ID or apply for a postal vote. This is voter suppression in action in England!

What can you do?

Follow our 5 step plan to prevent voter suppression

1. Make sure you are registered to vote. Its quick and easy to do – Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2. Apply for a postal vote – No voter ID is required for a postal vote.You must complete and return the form by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. Postal and Proxy voting | Postal and Proxy voting | Reigate and Banstead (reigate-banstead.gov.uk)
3. To vote in person check you have the right ID. Only originals will be accepted. Accepted ID is:
   1. passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA (European Economic Area) state or a Commonwealth country
   2. photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
   3. European Economic Area photographic ID Card
   4. UK Biometric Residence Permit
   5. an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
   6. a Blue Badge
   7. Oyster 60+ Card
   8. a concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority
4. If you want to vote in person and don’t have the right form of ID you can apply for a FREE Voter Authority Certificate.  The deadline is 5pm, Tuesday 25 April 2023. Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
5. VOTE LABOUR to prevent unnecessary suppression of voters rights and corruption.