Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gagan Mohindra and Chloe Smith

Thursday 11th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

What steps he is taking to implement voter identification requirements for future elections.

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Chloe Smith)]

The Government are, as I referred to, committed to introducing voter identification to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and give the public confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century. As promised in the Queen’s Speech and our manifesto, we will bring forward legislation to do that.

[Mr Mohindra]

Across this House we need to make sure that we trust the results of the ballot box to protect our democracy. What assurances can my hon. Friend give that every eligible voter, irrespective of their socio-economic background, is encouraged to vote?

[Chloe Smith]

I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance. This touches on the answer I gave earlier, whereby the evidence of our pilots shows that there is no impact on any particular demographic group from this policy. Indeed, the experience of it in Northern Ireland shows that turnout and participation do not come down. Furthermore, I am doing work throughout this with various organisations that represent groups who may have anxieties on any of these scores, and I am extremely keen to make sure that we resolve those concerns and, as he says, encourage everybody to register to vote.