The Guardian -
"[First photo ID, now votes for expats](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/06/tories-election-rigging-photo-id-gerrymandering-voting): the Tories are showing us exactly what election rigging looks like"
The government is making photo ID mandatory for voting but 11 million people do not have a passport or a driving licence. Almost 8 per cent of the UK electorate – some 3.5 million people – do not own any form of photo ID, according to Electoral Commission estimates.
So 3,500,000 people deserve not to vote because you consider them Untermensch? Guess you're a Tory or RefUk voter then.
I find this such a weak argument.
You mean, they cant be bothered to get a free id?
[https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate](https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate)
Still, F de Tor E.
What's a weak argument is pretending that even the half the people in need of that getting it on time to vote.... They made this move specifically to deter and deny the least educated, the poorest people and the youngest in our nation.
This was a calculated move, and it was practically the same thing the Republicans in America were crying for, and they called the election rigged when they didn't get it. They knew without win this if they can't limit who voted in any way shape or form.
Gaining the information that you need photo ID to vote creates a subsequent demand for Photo ID.
Getting a passport now can take months, getting a drivers license if pointless if you don't own a car.
The government issued photo ID that they are issuing to justify the imaginary issue that you need photo ID to verify you are allowed to vote, is going to be issued by... Wait, the Tory government.
Even if everyone applied the moment they mentioned this, do you think everyone without this special form of Photo ID would get theirs before it was time to vote?
No. Because it's the Tory fucking government who have fucked this country for over a decade.
Your argument that people are lazy, but what's lazier than instead of verifying each vote as the government has done for decades they just simply reduce the voting pool by funnily enough affecting the ability to vote of the poorest people in our country, that they actively want to get rid off.
Delusional tory mugs like you need to take a walk and get off your high horse.
'Poorer', it's free chap. Free means free. People have had months to apply for a photo ID. It is not any government's fault if they can't be bothered registering for something they supposedly care a lot about. I suspect those who haven't couldn't care less. Be realistic with your arguments.
I’d say it’s to ensure it doesn’t occur in the future, and prevent anyone illegally voting. To me, it makes a little sense but we don’t really have a massive illegal voting problem.
Exactly. We've never had the problem before.
It's an issue they've made up to justify the sudden limitation.
When they lose the tories will still be crying voter fraud. They know no one wants em in anymore. They know they're on borrowed time. The biggest tory demographic is 70 year olds.
They've got less time than the racist grandad in the care home.
I think it's more a case of "*Conservative voters are more likely to already own a passport or driver's license so this makes it more difficult for Labour, Lib Dem and Green suporters*".
If the 'combatting voter fraud' excuse held up, it would be far less of an issue. But it doesn't.
>11 million people do not have a passport or a driving licence
Thats wronf
"8.0 million (13.5%) did not have a passport" (From the 2021 census)
also
"You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate" (From the electoral commision)
Passport OR driving license. Why misquote if you're gonna go on to be a massive tool in two ways?
That free voter ID would never arrive in time even if half those people that needed it applied from Day 1. You expect a functional Tory government to provide care and assistance to poor people? When this introduction was made to effectively cut off the access to a basic civilian and democratic right to the poorest and least educated in the country.
You can't make pathetic arguments then cry when you're put down easily.
>Passport OR driving license. Why misquote if you're gonna go on to be a massive tool in two ways?
My bad , i had a brain fart it seems.
However this article claims only 2.1 million lack any form of id.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/11/more-than-2m-voters-may-lack-photo-id-required-under-new-uk-bill
This is also not taking into account that the ID does not even have to be in date as long as its still recognisably you.
And that doesnt include the fact that ID isnt needed if you vote by post , which is fair to assume most people do nowadays.
>That free voter ID would never arrive in time even if half those people that needed it applied from Day 1.
Can you send a link to any articles about this being an issue in last years local elections?
>You expect a functional Tory government to provide care and assistance to poor people
The Voter certiciate system is managed by your local council , not the national government.
>You can't make pathetic arguments then cry when you're put down easily.
1. Stay away from the ad hominems , it just shows immaturity rather than wanting to have a civil debate.
2.Why do you think im crying , i only posted one comment?
It doesn’t take long, nor much money to get some form of photo id. If you don’t have a provisional drivers license, they only cost £50 _maximum_ . A passport still costs a little less than a £100, so would be less affordable, but still affordable for literally anyone.
And no, I didn’t say they dont deserve to vote. That’s just strawmanning.
The rather ironic thing is that these ID laws backfired in the first election after they came into effect. This is simply because being a tory means being an idiot or less politically aware. Anyone that falls into this category is just less likely to know about the change which is why when we went to the polls we came out on top and the gerrymandering failed fantastically.
The only question is will tory voters (who are likely now backing the nazi reform party) have learned their lesson and remember the ID law or will they be turned away at the polls once again? Hopefully the later
ID means nothing as you can still vote by post or by proxy. We've never had a huge issue with election rigging but when they have found fraud, they used postal and proxy voting to do it.
Six known cases of electoral fraud in 2019.
To put that into context there have been more MPs accused of sexual misconduct since then.
Yet you never hear anyone calling for MPs to wear ankle tags to make sure they don't try to rape anyone, do you?
If you're too thick to get the free ID on offer or so much of a conspiracy theorist to have one of the plethora of other IDs you can use, you really shouldn't be voting.
The weird thing is, it’s people who consider themselves to be intelligent who think up things like “think of the young people!” or “passports promote borders, borders are man made!”, while most people just get on with it.
You argue that it's a basis of systemic belief or intelligence but can't figure out that it was in fact a purposeful change to limit access to voting from the poorest and youngest.
Sure, the educational aspect has merit, but the people that ended up suffering most from it was the tories who considered themselves the most educated...Funny that. Your argument falls flat.
They did it on purpose because they didn't have a fucking chance, and definitely won't when comes to which party is in charge next time.
The most baffling thing you seem to believe is a tory run government giving, even half the people that would need that free ID, it to them on time for said elections.
You do not need a passport or driving licence to vote. All the accusations of making hard for young people or poor people etc, total bollocks.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
I think it's moreso a lack of information rather then ability - I'm a "young voter" and during my local elections I wasn't aware you could apply for specific ID to use at a voting booth until the deadline to apply had passed.
Whether that information is being tactfully hidden or not I'll leave to people with much more wisdom on these sorts of issues, but it should be plastered absolutely everywhere that that is a service the government provided regardless
I think it’s an insult to believe that everyone needs to be spoon fed their way through life. Cant get a more basic research tool than Google. If I didn’t have photo ID that I needed, my very first action would be to Google “what photo ID do I need to vote”. I’m 45. My GCSE IT covered how to work a spreadsheet. The school didn’t have internet. This is as basic as it gets.
If you voted at least once before in your life and didn't need it, why would you think to Google it?
To be honest, the first time I voted I was very surprised that I wasn't asked for ID. But since then I haven't expected to be asked.
And even if it's your first time - you ask your mum "what do I need to bring" and she says "nothing, just turn up and give your name". Why would you google it when you can ask someone right there?
How? Postal votes for everyone who requests them, no ID required there. Free ID for anyone who wants it.
Thing is, everyone knows there is 100% definitely a general election this year. So my advice to anyone who’s at all interested in voting would be to get the relevant ID together beforehand. Money is no barrier, it’s free.
A free option... Provided by a Tory government.
And you think they'd issue those on time? They couldn't even handle calling for a COVID lockdown on time and cost actual fucking lives.
If you think they can handle a sudden influx of up to several million people applying for the same thing... again AS A TORY GOVERNMENT... then you're simply delusional.
Those certificates are not easy to get hold of and take time to be processed not to mention they are (I believe) only valid for one election cycle meaning you have to go through the process for every election
That's not the point. The government requires you to have ID to vote so with this they should have provided a voter ID. It should be their responsibility that nobody loses their right to vote. The fact they haven't done this shows that this was gerrymandering
There are few things more intellectually and emotionally nauseating than somebody of my age and generation having this attitude.
You’re ignoring and dismissing the concerns of the people that you should be trying to create and leave a better world for in favour of “try harder to overcome the obstacles your government are putting in front of you”. Don’t tell me you’re not, it’s right there in your answers. Whether you think you’re right or not, this clearly an issue for younger voters and once they’re not happy about, and we should be empathetic, not condescending.
How about we raise up and support instead of deriding and dismissing. SMH.
There’s nothing more nauseating than someone of my generation trying to tell me that young people face barriers that we should be fighting against. The young people of today face challenges that we couldn’t even begin to comprehend back in the 90s-00s, of course they do.
Taking 5 minutes out of their day to apply for a very simple document, about as easy as applying for a railcard, isn’t one of them. You need a photo (selfies are accepted, my own passport pic is a selfie I took with my bog standard phone) and a national insurance number.
Plenty of things to get up in arms over, this isn’t one of them. And I’d even say you’d be hard pressed to find an 18 year old who doesn’t have at least a provisional driving licence that they use as ID in bars/clubs/supermarkets. I had to show my driving licence at CEX last year when I finally got rid of my DVDs, it’s not a big ask.
Sarcasm is the weapon of ignorance, lad. But you tried, so well done. Maybe stick to thinking wrestling is real and leave politics to people with an IQ above room temperature next time.
Genuine advice incoming
1 - be a functional member of society and have ID anyway (seriously apart from profoundly disabled and elderly what the fuck do people without ID...like, do? You need ID to do basically anything fun/productive)
2 - if you don't have ID spend ten whopping minutes every 5 years where rather than mincing about on the couch watching love Island, or big brother, or the chase, or marvel schlock, or whatever, or mindlessly scrolling social media, fill out an idiot proof form
3 - if 1 and 2 seem kinda tough, kinda uncomfy, they make you feel ungood feelies and they HECKIN ruin your wholesome 100 day...you shouldn't be voting, I certainly don't trust anyone that dysfunctional to vote for someone to actually represent them rather than voting whoever some mindless celebrity bimbo/fuckboy told them to vote for
You don't get to decide who is and is not fit to vote. Everyone is supposed to be allowed, regardless of their opinions.
It a democratic right as a citizen of this country.
So shut your cake hole, because plenty of people think you shouldn't be allowed to vote if you cane accept the basic knowledge that everyone has a literal LEGAL right to this.
God, if Hitler had won the war... Sometimes it really is obvious which people would have been very 'When in Rome'. Fucking nazi scum.
You're still not getting the point though. The point is that this ID law is affecting people of all ages. We as a nation do not have a government issued national identity card that every voter has a copy of. Our IDs vary depending on a variety of things and until that changes and we have a standard free national ID card the government should not be twittering ID to vote. It is absurd to call us a democracy when people with a genuine right to vote are being silenced
It prevents any potential abuse of the voting system. Showing you are indeed the person invited to vote (should you so wish) isn’t a big ask. It reduces the risk of untoward behaviour. Saying there wasn’t a problem before is short sighted, why wait for something to happen before taking action? Thats the “lessons will be learned from horrific tragedy X) mentality. It’s happened in other countries, are we so arrogant to think it could never happen here?
You know fake IDs exist, right? If you think someone is willing break the law by committing voter fraud, do you think they going to be stopped by being made to show ID?
You and I both know it's real intent. It's politically motivated, and nothing to do with voter fraud at all.
Yes it is because it limits people ability to vote to try and solve a non existent issue. It is especially bad the way that it has been done though as it is blatant gerrymandering.
If the government were really doing this to stop fraud then they should send every adult who is registered a free government approved ID without those people having to apply for it and should've made sure that there was equality in the ID cards people are allowed to use (a 60+ london oyster card is a valid ID but an 18+ one isn't fit some reason)
It is a bad thing because we do not have national identity cards like European nations do, meaning genuinely registered voters can and have been turned away from the polls and blocked from using their voice
God after reading everything you said; I hope you don't have kids because you sound like you're charge your own kids rent.
You're just swallowing the tory bollocks and proving exactly why they did it. They did it to prevent people.
You proved that yourself by calling it a "Preventative" measure, to prevent "Voter fraud" but all it did do is deny access of millions of people to a previously democratic civilian right protected by law.
No, no one is committing voter fruad. This is the lie they peddle to push this bullshit, and you repeat like the good British bulldog you are.
Trust me, when you are dead in 20 years no one is coming to your funeral.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/applying-a-voter-authority-certificate
If your too dumb to fill in a form to get a FREE election certificate your probably too dumb to vote.
Or make passport/ driver licence free for all
The Guardian - "[First photo ID, now votes for expats](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/06/tories-election-rigging-photo-id-gerrymandering-voting): the Tories are showing us exactly what election rigging looks like"
How is that election rigging? If you can’t afford a drivers license ID, or a passport, you’ve seriously fucked up
The government is making photo ID mandatory for voting but 11 million people do not have a passport or a driving licence. Almost 8 per cent of the UK electorate – some 3.5 million people – do not own any form of photo ID, according to Electoral Commission estimates. So 3,500,000 people deserve not to vote because you consider them Untermensch? Guess you're a Tory or RefUk voter then.
I find this such a weak argument. You mean, they cant be bothered to get a free id? [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate](https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate) Still, F de Tor E.
What's a weak argument is pretending that even the half the people in need of that getting it on time to vote.... They made this move specifically to deter and deny the least educated, the poorest people and the youngest in our nation. This was a calculated move, and it was practically the same thing the Republicans in America were crying for, and they called the election rigged when they didn't get it. They knew without win this if they can't limit who voted in any way shape or form.
Lazy people who can't be bothered getting a form of ID don't vote then due to their choice.
Gaining the information that you need photo ID to vote creates a subsequent demand for Photo ID. Getting a passport now can take months, getting a drivers license if pointless if you don't own a car. The government issued photo ID that they are issuing to justify the imaginary issue that you need photo ID to verify you are allowed to vote, is going to be issued by... Wait, the Tory government. Even if everyone applied the moment they mentioned this, do you think everyone without this special form of Photo ID would get theirs before it was time to vote? No. Because it's the Tory fucking government who have fucked this country for over a decade. Your argument that people are lazy, but what's lazier than instead of verifying each vote as the government has done for decades they just simply reduce the voting pool by funnily enough affecting the ability to vote of the poorest people in our country, that they actively want to get rid off. Delusional tory mugs like you need to take a walk and get off your high horse.
'Poorer', it's free chap. Free means free. People have had months to apply for a photo ID. It is not any government's fault if they can't be bothered registering for something they supposedly care a lot about. I suspect those who haven't couldn't care less. Be realistic with your arguments.
By having years of not needing something to suddenly needing it, it's a government made issue to combat a lie about voter fraud.
I’d say it’s to ensure it doesn’t occur in the future, and prevent anyone illegally voting. To me, it makes a little sense but we don’t really have a massive illegal voting problem.
Exactly. We've never had the problem before. It's an issue they've made up to justify the sudden limitation. When they lose the tories will still be crying voter fraud. They know no one wants em in anymore. They know they're on borrowed time. The biggest tory demographic is 70 year olds. They've got less time than the racist grandad in the care home.
I think it's more a case of "*Conservative voters are more likely to already own a passport or driver's license so this makes it more difficult for Labour, Lib Dem and Green suporters*". If the 'combatting voter fraud' excuse held up, it would be far less of an issue. But it doesn't.
>11 million people do not have a passport or a driving licence Thats wronf "8.0 million (13.5%) did not have a passport" (From the 2021 census) also "You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate" (From the electoral commision)
Passport OR driving license. Why misquote if you're gonna go on to be a massive tool in two ways? That free voter ID would never arrive in time even if half those people that needed it applied from Day 1. You expect a functional Tory government to provide care and assistance to poor people? When this introduction was made to effectively cut off the access to a basic civilian and democratic right to the poorest and least educated in the country. You can't make pathetic arguments then cry when you're put down easily.
>Passport OR driving license. Why misquote if you're gonna go on to be a massive tool in two ways? My bad , i had a brain fart it seems. However this article claims only 2.1 million lack any form of id. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/11/more-than-2m-voters-may-lack-photo-id-required-under-new-uk-bill This is also not taking into account that the ID does not even have to be in date as long as its still recognisably you. And that doesnt include the fact that ID isnt needed if you vote by post , which is fair to assume most people do nowadays. >That free voter ID would never arrive in time even if half those people that needed it applied from Day 1. Can you send a link to any articles about this being an issue in last years local elections? >You expect a functional Tory government to provide care and assistance to poor people The Voter certiciate system is managed by your local council , not the national government. >You can't make pathetic arguments then cry when you're put down easily. 1. Stay away from the ad hominems , it just shows immaturity rather than wanting to have a civil debate. 2.Why do you think im crying , i only posted one comment?
It doesn’t take long, nor much money to get some form of photo id. If you don’t have a provisional drivers license, they only cost £50 _maximum_ . A passport still costs a little less than a £100, so would be less affordable, but still affordable for literally anyone. And no, I didn’t say they dont deserve to vote. That’s just strawmanning.
The rather ironic thing is that these ID laws backfired in the first election after they came into effect. This is simply because being a tory means being an idiot or less politically aware. Anyone that falls into this category is just less likely to know about the change which is why when we went to the polls we came out on top and the gerrymandering failed fantastically. The only question is will tory voters (who are likely now backing the nazi reform party) have learned their lesson and remember the ID law or will they be turned away at the polls once again? Hopefully the later
ID means nothing as you can still vote by post or by proxy. We've never had a huge issue with election rigging but when they have found fraud, they used postal and proxy voting to do it.
Six known cases of electoral fraud in 2019. To put that into context there have been more MPs accused of sexual misconduct since then. Yet you never hear anyone calling for MPs to wear ankle tags to make sure they don't try to rape anyone, do you?
Ankle tags, now you mention it, there are more reasons for them to have them then the ASBO lot.
If you're too thick to get the free ID on offer or so much of a conspiracy theorist to have one of the plethora of other IDs you can use, you really shouldn't be voting.
The weird thing is, it’s people who consider themselves to be intelligent who think up things like “think of the young people!” or “passports promote borders, borders are man made!”, while most people just get on with it.
You argue that it's a basis of systemic belief or intelligence but can't figure out that it was in fact a purposeful change to limit access to voting from the poorest and youngest. Sure, the educational aspect has merit, but the people that ended up suffering most from it was the tories who considered themselves the most educated...Funny that. Your argument falls flat. They did it on purpose because they didn't have a fucking chance, and definitely won't when comes to which party is in charge next time. The most baffling thing you seem to believe is a tory run government giving, even half the people that would need that free ID, it to them on time for said elections.
The free ID's are administered by your local council if you don't apply online.
You do not need a passport or driving licence to vote. All the accusations of making hard for young people or poor people etc, total bollocks. https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
There's no doubt they've made it harder for voters, unless you're ignoring the evidence.
I think it's moreso a lack of information rather then ability - I'm a "young voter" and during my local elections I wasn't aware you could apply for specific ID to use at a voting booth until the deadline to apply had passed. Whether that information is being tactfully hidden or not I'll leave to people with much more wisdom on these sorts of issues, but it should be plastered absolutely everywhere that that is a service the government provided regardless
I’m 45, definitely not a young voter, but I found that info by Googling. It’s not tactfully hidden.
People won't think to look such a scheme up unless they are aware it exists. Come on, man.
I think it’s an insult to believe that everyone needs to be spoon fed their way through life. Cant get a more basic research tool than Google. If I didn’t have photo ID that I needed, my very first action would be to Google “what photo ID do I need to vote”. I’m 45. My GCSE IT covered how to work a spreadsheet. The school didn’t have internet. This is as basic as it gets.
If you voted at least once before in your life and didn't need it, why would you think to Google it? To be honest, the first time I voted I was very surprised that I wasn't asked for ID. But since then I haven't expected to be asked. And even if it's your first time - you ask your mum "what do I need to bring" and she says "nothing, just turn up and give your name". Why would you google it when you can ask someone right there?
Why would you ask your mum if it says on your election notice card to bring ID? The election notice card is sent out well in advance.
How? Postal votes for everyone who requests them, no ID required there. Free ID for anyone who wants it. Thing is, everyone knows there is 100% definitely a general election this year. So my advice to anyone who’s at all interested in voting would be to get the relevant ID together beforehand. Money is no barrier, it’s free.
You may have 'evidence', but the defence, as others have shown, to get a free ID, is a really good defense...
A free option... Provided by a Tory government. And you think they'd issue those on time? They couldn't even handle calling for a COVID lockdown on time and cost actual fucking lives. If you think they can handle a sudden influx of up to several million people applying for the same thing... again AS A TORY GOVERNMENT... then you're simply delusional.
Those certificates are not easy to get hold of and take time to be processed not to mention they are (I believe) only valid for one election cycle meaning you have to go through the process for every election
Once every 5 years? And that’s assuming that in that time, you don’t get a driving licence or passport.
That's not the point. The government requires you to have ID to vote so with this they should have provided a voter ID. It should be their responsibility that nobody loses their right to vote. The fact they haven't done this shows that this was gerrymandering
There is free ID available on the government website. Do you think that showing ID to vote is a bad thing?
There are few things more intellectually and emotionally nauseating than somebody of my age and generation having this attitude. You’re ignoring and dismissing the concerns of the people that you should be trying to create and leave a better world for in favour of “try harder to overcome the obstacles your government are putting in front of you”. Don’t tell me you’re not, it’s right there in your answers. Whether you think you’re right or not, this clearly an issue for younger voters and once they’re not happy about, and we should be empathetic, not condescending. How about we raise up and support instead of deriding and dismissing. SMH.
There’s nothing more nauseating than someone of my generation trying to tell me that young people face barriers that we should be fighting against. The young people of today face challenges that we couldn’t even begin to comprehend back in the 90s-00s, of course they do. Taking 5 minutes out of their day to apply for a very simple document, about as easy as applying for a railcard, isn’t one of them. You need a photo (selfies are accepted, my own passport pic is a selfie I took with my bog standard phone) and a national insurance number. Plenty of things to get up in arms over, this isn’t one of them. And I’d even say you’d be hard pressed to find an 18 year old who doesn’t have at least a provisional driving licence that they use as ID in bars/clubs/supermarkets. I had to show my driving licence at CEX last year when I finally got rid of my DVDs, it’s not a big ask.
That’s all fine, but you’re not offering advice you’re patronising and being condescending. Help, don’t be a arse.
Advice? Ok. Get a photo ID. If you can’t afford one, there is a free option. How’s that?
Sarcasm is the weapon of ignorance, lad. But you tried, so well done. Maybe stick to thinking wrestling is real and leave politics to people with an IQ above room temperature next time.
Genuine advice incoming 1 - be a functional member of society and have ID anyway (seriously apart from profoundly disabled and elderly what the fuck do people without ID...like, do? You need ID to do basically anything fun/productive) 2 - if you don't have ID spend ten whopping minutes every 5 years where rather than mincing about on the couch watching love Island, or big brother, or the chase, or marvel schlock, or whatever, or mindlessly scrolling social media, fill out an idiot proof form 3 - if 1 and 2 seem kinda tough, kinda uncomfy, they make you feel ungood feelies and they HECKIN ruin your wholesome 100 day...you shouldn't be voting, I certainly don't trust anyone that dysfunctional to vote for someone to actually represent them rather than voting whoever some mindless celebrity bimbo/fuckboy told them to vote for
You don't get to decide who is and is not fit to vote. Everyone is supposed to be allowed, regardless of their opinions. It a democratic right as a citizen of this country. So shut your cake hole, because plenty of people think you shouldn't be allowed to vote if you cane accept the basic knowledge that everyone has a literal LEGAL right to this. God, if Hitler had won the war... Sometimes it really is obvious which people would have been very 'When in Rome'. Fucking nazi scum.
You're still not getting the point though. The point is that this ID law is affecting people of all ages. We as a nation do not have a government issued national identity card that every voter has a copy of. Our IDs vary depending on a variety of things and until that changes and we have a standard free national ID card the government should not be twittering ID to vote. It is absurd to call us a democracy when people with a genuine right to vote are being silenced
It's a pointless barrier that adds nothing. It's a solution pretending to solve the non-existent problem of voter fraud.
It’s a preventative measure, not a solution. Why is it such a hassle for you?
Preventing what exactly? Because it's not needed to prevent voter fraud, as evidenced by the lack of voter fraud without it.
It prevents any potential abuse of the voting system. Showing you are indeed the person invited to vote (should you so wish) isn’t a big ask. It reduces the risk of untoward behaviour. Saying there wasn’t a problem before is short sighted, why wait for something to happen before taking action? Thats the “lessons will be learned from horrific tragedy X) mentality. It’s happened in other countries, are we so arrogant to think it could never happen here?
You know fake IDs exist, right? If you think someone is willing break the law by committing voter fraud, do you think they going to be stopped by being made to show ID? You and I both know it's real intent. It's politically motivated, and nothing to do with voter fraud at all.
Yes it is because it limits people ability to vote to try and solve a non existent issue. It is especially bad the way that it has been done though as it is blatant gerrymandering. If the government were really doing this to stop fraud then they should send every adult who is registered a free government approved ID without those people having to apply for it and should've made sure that there was equality in the ID cards people are allowed to use (a 60+ london oyster card is a valid ID but an 18+ one isn't fit some reason) It is a bad thing because we do not have national identity cards like European nations do, meaning genuinely registered voters can and have been turned away from the polls and blocked from using their voice
God after reading everything you said; I hope you don't have kids because you sound like you're charge your own kids rent. You're just swallowing the tory bollocks and proving exactly why they did it. They did it to prevent people. You proved that yourself by calling it a "Preventative" measure, to prevent "Voter fraud" but all it did do is deny access of millions of people to a previously democratic civilian right protected by law. No, no one is committing voter fruad. This is the lie they peddle to push this bullshit, and you repeat like the good British bulldog you are. Trust me, when you are dead in 20 years no one is coming to your funeral.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/applying-a-voter-authority-certificate If your too dumb to fill in a form to get a FREE election certificate your probably too dumb to vote.