Thread by @electoralreform

Press release: ‘Show your papers’ policy of mandatory voter ID poses threat to free and fair elections electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-an…

A 2016 Electoral Commission report pointed out that 3.5 million citizens in the UK do not have access to photo ID, and 11 million citizens do not have a passport or driving licence

More than 700 people were denied a vote for not having ID in pilots conducted in May’s local elections – across just 10 council areas. We could see voters excluded on an industrial scale if mandatory photo ID were rolled out nationally

There were just eight allegations of personation fraud – the type voter ID is meant to prevent – in the whole of the UK last year, out of millions of votes cast. What are the government really trying to solve, by making it harder for all of us to vote?

Implementing mandatory voter ID would cost up to £20m per General Election, according to the government's own figures

The ERS are proud to lead a major coalition of charities and campaigners including @ageukcampaigns, the @RunnymedeTrust, @stonewall, @libertyhq and many more calling for ministers to reject mandatory voter ID electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-an…

Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: "When millions of people lack photo ID, these mooted plans risk raising the drawbridge to huge numbers of marginalised voters – including many elderly and BAME voters."

The government have sat on their hands in the face of the actual threats to electoral integrity: anonymous 'dark ads', dodgy donations, and disinformation. Instead of taking on the real issues, they are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut #voterID

.@darrenhughesnz: “Make no mistake – these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless. Ministers should focus on combating the real threats to our democracy, rather than suppressing voters’ rights."

Darren Hughes: “The government have been left with only a dog whistle to justify this ‘show-your’-papers policy, with no evidence of widespread impersonation."

Our constitutional rules should be fair for all sides – not a political football for whichever lot happens to be in control. This gamble with our democracy will strike many voters as US-style gerrymandering

Instead of scaremongering and undermining our proud tradition of trust at the ballot box, ministers should think and tackle the real problems our democracy faces: millions left off the electoral roll and a broken, one-person-takes-all voting system

Eleven seats were won by fewer than 100 votes in 2017 - making it likely this policy would have a direct impact on the makeup of our Parliament