Debates between Nick Smith and Clive Betts during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Tue 21st Feb 2023

Voter Identification

Debate between Nick Smith and Clive Betts
Tuesday 21st February 2023

(1 year, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Clive Betts Portrait Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)
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If I go to the polling station at the local government election, I can produce my passport, which I do not normally carry, or my driving licence. If I do not have either, I could produce my pensioner’s travel pass issued by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. However, if I were a young person—

Clive Betts Portrait Mr Betts
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I thank my hon. Friend. If I were a young person with a travel pass issued by the same authority, I could not produce it at the polling station. Quite simply, what do the Government have against young people? Why are they discriminating against them? Why are they finding every reason to disqualify their forms of ID? Is it because the Government do not expect that many young people will vote for them?