Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Voter ID: Levels of Enfranchisement

Thursday 8 July 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rosie Cooper asked about the potential effect of voter ID on enfranchisement levels.
  • Rachel Hopkins questioned if higher turnouts of eligible voters indicate a healthy democracy.
  • Rosie Cooper inquired whether the Government would provide ID free to all citizens of voting age.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rosie Cooper Lab
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns about the potential impact of voter ID laws on democratic participation.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential effect of the introduction of voter ID on levels of enfranchisement?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Voter fraud is a crime that we cannot allow room for, and we must stamp out any potential for it to take place in elections. Strengthening the integrity of our system will give the public confidence that our elections remain secure well into the future, and everybody who is eligible to vote will be able to continue doing so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific assessment or data on the effect of voter ID on enfranchisement levels.

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Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question stems from concerns about the potential impact of voter ID on electoral participation, particularly noting that 14 million registered voters did not vote at the last election.

Question

At the last general election, 14 million people who registered to vote did not do so, and the Electoral Commission estimates that 9 million eligible citizens were not registered to vote. Do the Government believe that higher turnouts of eligible voters in elections is a good sign for democracy? If so, why are Ministers putting their energy into making voting harder by introducing voter ID?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Yes, I do agree that turnout is incredibly important—and what is more, this policy will not affect it. The evidence of that is in the record from Northern Ireland, which Labour Members appear to be forgetting. The measures will tackle electoral abuse effectively without disadvantaging honest voters. The Government have no intention of taking away people's democratic right to vote.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address how voter ID specifically impacts voter turnout or enfranchisement levels based on the provided statistics.

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Q3 Rosie Cooper Lab
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns about individuals who might not have the means to obtain photo ID being excluded from voting.

Question

If the Minister, in spite of all the data, is determined that our elections would be made more secure by voter ID, does she not accept that the Government should provide ID free to all citizens of voting age, or is she quite content to price some people out of democracy?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The hon. Lady is a long-standing Member of this House and I am looking forward to debating with her enormously, but she simply has not read the papers. What she proposes is exactly what we are doing. I would like to make it absolutely clear here at the Dispatch Box that there will be a free local voter card. It will be free, it will be local, and it make sure that anybody who does not have photographic identification can still vote.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The question stems from concerns about the practical implementation of voter ID laws, particularly regarding privacy and cultural sensitivity.

Question

The Minister has previously advised me and the House that polling staff will be given appropriate training on checking photo IDs of individuals who wear headscarves or face coverings. Although the Government have apparently guaranteed the use of privacy screens at polling stations to facilitate private ID checks, many voters will not feel comfortable at the prospect of having to show their face or hair to a polling clerk of the opposite sex, and indeed may not vote. Will the Minister confirm whether her plans include provisions to ensure that there are both male and female staff all day at every one of the 35,500 polling stations across the country, to ensure that voters are not placed in an inappropriate position? How much would she expect that to cost?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The hon. Lady picks up on a very important point. We intend to do this properly. We are making sure that there is the right provision of training in polling stations, as she has already acknowledged, and with that, the right provision of communication to help voters be aware of this very reasonable and proportionate new requirement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific confirmation regarding the staffing provisions or cost estimates for ensuring gender diversity at polling stations.

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