THE leader of the Basingstoke and Deane Labour group has urged the council to withdraw from proposals for mandatory voter ID at polling stations in the 2023 and all subsequent elections.

Changes in the way elections are conducted have been outlined to councils across the UK. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of voter ID, which will require all electors to produce a form of photo identification - such as a passport, driving licence, immigration document or PASS card - to be eligible to vote.

In January next year, the voter authority certificate scheme will launch which will enable electors who do not have appropriate photo ID to apply for a certificate. Then in May next year, voters will need to show their voter ID at the polling station before they are issued a ballot paper.

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Opposition to voter ID has brought together a wide coalition, from homeless charities, groups representing elderly people and LGBT+ campaigners, to democratic organisations such as the Electoral Reform Society; each concerned that these proposals could shut out millions of legitimate voters from the ballot box.

Cllr Andrew McCormick, the leader of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough (BDBC) Labour group introduced a motion on the proposals. 

He said: “This is a solution in search of a problem, on checking with our electoral services department we could find no examples of votes fraud going back a number of years as far as we could. Why then institute the requirement to introduce photographic ID in order to vote? The answer appears to be to make it harder to vote.

“Those without ID are likely to be the young, the less well-off and those without passports and those who can’t drive.

“It would be a different story if we had a national ID card scheme, but we haven’t and having to pay for ID is expensive."

Cllr David McIntyre took a different view.

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He added: “An individual’s right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights we have within our society. Both the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and our very own Electoral Commission have recommended the introduction of use of photographic ID in polling stations in the UK, as they see the lack of verification as being open to abuse.

"I am extremely disappointed to see a Basingstoke Labour councillor stand before council and say the only reason they are against this legislation is because it would impact their vote. That is disgraceful.  This legislation is not about disenfranchising the electorate, it is about protecting the sanctity of our electoral system. The legislation introduces a free voter ID card. This can be applied for in person, by post or online. Please do contact your local borough councillor if you need any assistance in applying for this free ID card.”

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group Cllr Gavin James said: “Boris has gone and this policy should have gone with him.”

Despite the level of support, the motion was lost by 24 votes to 23.