Voter ID Pilots Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Voter ID Pilots

Tom Pursglove Excerpts
Monday 23rd April 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I note the alacrity with which the hon. Member for Corby (Tom Pursglove) springs to his feet, which is all the more remarkable in light of his achievement in running the marathon yesterday. I take this opportunity to congratulate all right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House who undertook that mission so successfully for their respective charities. I call the hon. Gentleman.

Tom Pursglove Portrait Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)
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I have to say that it is a bit of a struggle today.

Most voters would think that these pilots are fair and reasonable, and want confidence in the result. Does the Electoral Commission think the same?

Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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The Electoral Commission has been calling for this change since 2014. The Government are responding to that call for change by introducing policies that ask voters to produce a proportionate and reasonable form of identification, such as they would do for other routine activities in daily life. We think that is the right thing to do and we are pleased to be able to work alongside the Electoral Commission and Crimestoppers, as I mentioned, to combat electoral fraud.