Cat Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, responding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s letter to the Government raising various concerns about the voter ID pilots taking place at the local government elections, said:

“This intervention from the Equality and Human Rights Commission is further proof that this Government is determined to undermine our democracy.

“The introduction of voter ID in polling stations is one of the most dramatic changes to our voting system ever. It is deeply concerning that the Government has ignored multiple warnings that these pilots will have a disproportionate impact on various groups, such as ethnic minority communities, older people, transgender people, people with disabilities.

“Labour wants everyone’s voice to be heard at the local elections, no matter someone’s background, which is why we are calling on the government to abandon these damaging pilots.”