Elections Bill

Lord Maxton Excerpts

Lords Hansard - Part 2 & Committee stage
Thursday 17th March 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

You need to do both. We are trying to make sure that people in the communities that my noble friend Lady Verma has stood up and very bravely spoken about have the opportunity, as well as others, to take up their democratic right to vote. She rightly pointed out that many people may feel more empowered to participate if they feel more secure in the system—that has come out in research done by the Electoral Commission. In 2021, 66% said they would have more confidence in the system if there was voter ID at polling stations.

[Lord Maxton (Lab)]

I am very reluctant to speak, because I have sat through most of this and I did not take part in Second Reading, but if an ID card is presented at the polling station, is that taken as proof that you have voted or are voting? There is a photographic ID card.

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

If you have the necessary photo ID and your name is on that electoral register—

[Lord Maxton (Lab)]

But surely most countries that the noble Baroness has already said are part and parcel of the extension of this scheme have an ID card.

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I think that is a different discussion.