Dear John,

The Policing Bill is back - and in even worse company 

Today’s Queen’s Speech sets out a raft of anti-democratic measures, attacking our right to vote and challenge the government. 

Voters will be turned away from the polling station if they don’t have ID. 

Judges' power to intervene in unlawful political decisions will be curbed, following clashes between the Supreme Court and Johnson’s unlawful prorogation of parliament. 

And the Policing Bill returns to the Commons, which, if passed unamended, would kill the kind of lively political activism supporters like you have peacefully engaged in.

Tens of thousands of you have already supported our campaign to stop the Policing Bill. Today, we must stand against the Government’s whole agenda of disenfranchisement. Put your name to our petition and stand up for our democracy.

After mass action from our supporters, we knew the Government would try to kick the Policing Bill into the long-grass. Now, they are looking to rush through a whole series of anti-democratic measures unnoticed. But we have spotted it.

Ministers are seeking to weaken electoral watchdogs, make mayoral elections less proportionate and to redraw constituency boundaries in a way that favours Conservative candidates in future elections. Learn more here.

There is no evidence that voter fraud is a significant issue. Requiring IDs will simply restrict turnout, not protect elections. Instead of stopping one person from voting twice, it will in fact stop many people from voting at all. Our democracy is in desperate need of renewal. But these ‘reforms’ will restrict engagement and lessen accountability. 

It’s an assault on our democracy from all sides – our franchise, the rule of law, our right to protest. This cannot be allowed to go unnoticed. Sign your name to our petition.

Today, council leaders are imploring the Government to keep its promise to fix the ongoing crisis in social care. Yet the Queen’s Speech contains concrete no plans and no Bill.

Why is the Government wasting time attacking democracy instead? 

Best wishes,

Naomi Smith,
CEO, Best for Britain

PS. If you would like to help Best for Britain continue to monitor and check the Government's anti-democratic impulses, consider becoming a regular donor here.