Foord backs Bill to ditch Voter ID restrictions

The party opposed the voter identification regulations in both the Houses of Commons and the Lords, but were ultimately defeated by the Government.

Concerns have been raised about the ability of many local authorities to manage and enforce these new regulations, as well as the lack of awareness among the public of the changes.

The uptake of Voter ID Certificates has been low, with it being reported last month that just 0.5% of those likely to need one having signed up - meaning that more than two million people risk being unable to vote this May.

Commenting Richard Foord MP said:
“This new Bill is the last chance to scrap these Voter ID regulations before they are enforced at the local elections this May.  In a survey by the Electoral Commission, 37% of voters who have elections this May are unaware of this new requirement for ID.

“If the Conservative Government does not allow our Bill to pass, thousands of people across Devon could find themselves unable to vote at the next election.

“Liberal Democrats will not stop fighting to protect our fundamental right to vote and to stop all efforts to impinge our democracy.”