Voter ID May 2023 Local Elections 2023-01-09
2023-01-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Government is considering voter ID requirement for May 2023 local elections despite warnings from experts about feasibility and potential disenfranchisement.
What assessment has the Minister made of the feasibility of bringing in voter ID for local elections in May 2023? The Government's imposition of voter ID, despite there being hardly any instances of voter fraud, is a crass attempt at vote rigging, and now the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Association are warning it will not even be possible to have everything ready by this May's local elections. So will the Minister do the right thing for our democracy and pause the roll-out?
The Government continue to work actively to ensure that voter ID is delivered in time for the 2023 elections, and we will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and all other parties, including local authorities. The hon. Gentleman has deployed some pretty outrageous rhetoric on an important issue. We want to maintain ballot box integrity and people can cast their vote knowing it works.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address the feasibility issues or commit to pausing the roll-out despite warnings from experts.
Outrageous Rhetoric
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Government is considering voter ID requirement for May 2023 local elections despite warnings from experts about feasibility and potential disenfranchisement.
The Government's imposition of voter ID, despite there being hardly any instances of voter fraud, is a crass attempt at vote rigging, and now the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Association are warning it will not even be possible to have everything ready by this May's local elections. So will the Minister do the right thing for our democracy and pause the roll-out, or will the Minister ignore the experts and plough on?
The Government continue to work actively with the Electoral Commission and local authorities. The hon. Gentleman has deployed some pretty outrageous rhetoric, but we will ensure that in May 2023, people can cast their vote knowing it works.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address expert warnings or commit to pausing the roll-out.
Outrageous Rhetoric
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Opposition Members argue that there are hardly any instances of voter fraud, but the Government believes voter ID is necessary to ensure ballot integrity.
Does not the Minister agree that the reason why Opposition Members say that there is no voter fraud is because they do not know, and only when we have voter ID will we be able to be sure there will be no voter fraud?
The basic principle is that we want to ensure that the ballot box has integrity and works, so when people go to vote, it works.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a direct yes or no answer regarding whether he agrees with the view on voter fraud.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Government is committed to delivering voter ID by May 2023 despite warnings from experts about feasibility.
Happy new year, Mr Speaker, to you and to all our colleagues. The Government have been clear that it is important to ensure the ballot box has integrity. Will the Minister continue to work with everyone to deliver this in 115 days?
The Government have been clear for a number of years that it is important that the ballot box has integrity, so we are bringing forward voter identification and will continue to work with all organisations to make sure it happens.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to delivering voter ID within 115 days despite previous assurances.
Response accuracy