Voter ID Pilots Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Voter ID Pilots

Jeremy Quin Excerpts
Monday 23rd April 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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This is not in any way about disenfranchisement; it is about eligible voters being able to continue to cast their votes. That is the very definition of enfranchisement.

Jeremy Quin Portrait Jeremy Quin (Horsham) (Con)
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There is a risk that we are running down the Canadian experience—the last time I looked at Canada, it was a modern, vibrant democracy. What have we learned from its experience? I believe that it uses a similar system.

Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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What we have learnt from the other systems around the world that use identification is that that maintains a successful democracy. To give the Northern Ireland example again, the system has reduced electoral fraud and maintained turnout. Again, as my hon. Friend points out, we see this in countries such as Canada—proud partners in the Commonwealth and greatly respected by many Members across this House—and it is sad that in coming here today to talk down British democracy, others are also having a pop at those countries.