UK Parliament / Open data

Elections Bill

Proceeding contribution from David Davis (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 7 September 2021. It occurred during Debate on bills on Elections Bill.

The point I would make is that I am quoting from Government research. I did not do this research; it is Government research. By the way, since my hon. Friend draws me to Government research, Lord Pickles, a real old pal of mine, did a study on this. I have read it and, to summarise, the conclusion was, “I can find no evidence of personation but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening, and of course even if it isn’t happening now it might well happen in the future.” It is the precautionary principle gone mad in the centre of our constitution.

The Government answer, as we have heard several times, is free photographic ID. Nevertheless, the Government’s own research again found that about 42% of people without the ID would not take it up. That is really very serious. These groups are going to be disenfranchised because they do not take it up, and they will turn up at the polling station and find that they are unable to vote. This is in pursuit of three convictions.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

700 c217 

Session

2021-22

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
Back to top