The Express reports that confusion over voter ID could save some prominent Tory MPs including Rishi Sunak. It’s an objectable idea that voter suppression could work in this way, but it does seem fanciful. It certainly hasn’t saved the Tories in recent by-elections, though the cohort of GE voters has a different composition. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1887308/tories-saved-voter-id-election
If anything I would have thought it is traditional Tory voters who are most likely not to possess the requisite ID/not bother to vote. I’m surprised the Express didn’t run a scare story to that effect.
Not so, as the older persons bus pass is acceptable, but student cards are not. So the most likely to be affected are young and working age people at the level of poverty where they don’t have a passport or a driving licence or people who can’t find these. Students living away from home may find it’s enough to put them off if they are not determined voters, whereas before showing up was enough. The other parties need a concerted campaign, pre-election, to anticipate this issue.
I disagree. An older person may very well not have a valid passport and not all of them use buses (remember what Thatcher said?). My m in law is a case in point. She’s a lifelong Tory voter. It is possible to obtain a voter registration document and I agree that there needs to be a campaign to promote awareness.
As a result of the temporary absence of our sadly missed comrade Lord @ZZTopp, we don't really have any avowed lifelong Tories on here I don't think. So we don't get to hear their opinions and reasoning so much. When I see the polls and around a quarter of those asked STILL saying they would vote Tory, I'm intrigued as to what they're thinking. Are they of the opinion that things are misreported by the lefty media and their eyes are lying to them and in fact everything is getting better and better? Do they think the Tories have been doing a fine job for the past 14 years and more of the same is just what the country needs? Are they gagging for more Han*ock, Govey, Jonathan Seagull, Truss, Dories, Anderson and Badenoch? Surely even a lifelong Tory must express some discontent at wacky Tory antics? What does MIL think about the world?
I try not to talk to her much about it, as it just winds me up. She’s no fan of Rishi and well aware of all of the sleazy goings on. She liked Boris and thinks he saved us from Covid. It’s just a knee jerk reaction, I think - always has voted Tory, always will. That said, she seems relatively sanguine about the fact that the ID thing might mean she can’t vote, hence my suspicion that the impact of that might not be as straightforward as the Express makes out.
You can use expired passports or driving licences (a rule explicitly designed to help the oldies) and bus pass take up is very high. This is really about the easily dissuaded. The original system also had them in mind and made it as easy as possible.
Expired ones you can use! Any expired one? I've got an ancient black hardcover pre-EU one in a drawer somewhere which has a much more flattering and youthful photo of me than current. I wasn't going to bother to vote, but I might go down now and spoil me paper just for the joy of seeing the reaction to that old thing, with tatty old pages half falling out and full of very suspicious Arabic stamps from where I used to cross between Algeria, Morocco and Libya quite regularly.
Can you? I’m looking at my poll card, it says “a passport issued by the U.K…”. It doesn’t say “valid” but that was certainly her assumption and might perhaps be that of many others. All points to the need for publicity on this. I’m not trying to defend the system, I think it stinks, but as with a lot of things in life, I’m not convinced that it will work out exactly in the way that is predicted. Anyway, I’ll get Mrs K to tell her. Thanks, another Tory vote!
I think the other factor with regards voter id is lethargy. I might be being ageist but I don't think young people, in general, are as motivated to vote as older people. Having another step where some (many?) of them have to go through the process of applying for an id card way before the actual election is going to be "too much effort" imho (and having the experience of having a 19 yo son!). I guess we shall find out.
Just to add to the complexity: Mrs K is on the electoral register in her married name but all of her other documentation shows her maiden name. I can’t see anything about that on the poll card. Presumably they would have accepted a photo ID and a copy of our marriage certificate, if we can find it? Or would the photo ID suffice irrespective of her name?
I agree but I do wonder if some older people (like my MIL) are also sufficiently fed up with the Tories that the two issues taken together might cause them to stay at home?
I think you're all looking in the wrong direction. The Tories are out, of that there is no question, but the majority that Labour end up with depends entirely on young people voting. That's the important sector, not us old ***ts.
The problem is the UK's "shocking" demographics. The number of old farts really outnumbers the whipper-snappers...
The point being that younger people are less likely to have the relevant ID, adding to their general voting apathy, whereas older, mainly Tory, voters will.
The keyword on that chart is "...estimated...". I keep repeating this but that are no reliable data about age and electoral turnout.
Which is why the Tories have favoured ID that older people have over those younger people have, like student cards. They figure that younger people, who actually get to the polling station, won’t go twice if turned away. So a big advantage to older demographics who are more likely to live at one, permanent address, are more likely to vote, can use easier ID and there are proportionately more of the ********.
Remember when Labour wanted to bring in ID cards for everyone and the Tories objected? Strange how the tables have turned. The biggest election issue isn't people turning up at a polling station and using someone else name or address, I bet that minimal. The bigger issue is getting control of postal votes and stopping local leaders gathering papers from those in their community and having their teams mass select who they want locally. I fear in some areas this really could hinder labour if the Palestine situation continues
Acceptable IDs (beyond passport and driving licence). Note the imbalance. Local travel Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London Freedom Pass Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass) 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Agreed, although I note a senior railcard isn’t on there and the young person’s railcard is the only nationally issued ID for younger people (I think). Perhaps the omission of the former is deliberate… EDIT: I see there is a Scottish young person’s bus pass.
We had our polling card for the local election through the door recently - complete with orders to bring some photo ID along to the polling station. My immediate reaction was 'bo11ocks to that'. I imagine plenty of others will feel the same. So, sadly, Count Binface, will be at least one vote down in the GE
