Dear John,

Top Conservatives call voter ID proposals “illiberal” and “politics as performance”

Plans to require identification to vote has drawn criticism from high-profile people within the Conservative Party.

Chief Brexit negotiator David Davis called it “illiberal solution in pursuit of a non-existent problem”, while former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson mocked the idea that this is a legislative priority.

In trying to defend the plan, Environment Minister George Eustice admitted the requirement had the potential to disenfranchise older people. There are 11 million people, almost a quarter of the electorate, who may not have the right ID and may not be able to vote.

Under this kind of pressure, we have a real chance of stopping the Government in its tracks. Join the thousands of people who have already signed their name to stop this shameful assault on our democratic freedom.

Our electoral system is in need of reform. But not like this. The Government is trying to make us less free and less able to hold them to account.  

Our mayoral elections will be less proportional. Judicial Review, which overturned the unlawful prorogation of Parliament, will be curbed.

And let’s not forgot the Policing Bill, which would make causing “serious annoyance” at a protest punishable by up to 10 years in prison, even if the Government wants to sweep it under the rug. You can read more about the Government’s plans here.

Parliamentary business gets underway next week, and the Government will start trying to push through this legislation quickly and quietly. Let’s make as much noise possible – put your name to our petition, and let’s get to fifteen thousand signatures before then.

If the government succeeds in everything it threatens to do, it will make the UK less free, less democratic and less open. We will all be poorer.

And those in power will sleep much more soundly in the knowledge that ordinary people are much less able to take power away from them. 

Best wishes,

Cary Mitchell, 
Director of Operations, Best for Britain

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