5.1 Motion 1, Proposer Cllr Pringle
Given the findings of the electoral commission and the experiences of many legitimate voters in Dacorum, who either were turned away at polling stations, or who wished to vote, but did not attend the polling station because they did not have photo ID, it is proposed that the Leader of the Council write to the Home Secretary to ask that Voting ID requirements be suspended immediately for all elections and by-elections until there can be a full enquiry into the proportionality and efficacy of this requirement
Minutes:
Cllr Pringle proposed the motion, noting that it arises as a result following elections across the country on 4th May. Cllr Pringle read out the following motion:
"Given the findings of the electoral commission and the experiences of many legitimate voters in Dacorum who either were turned away at polling stations or who wished to vote but did not attend the polling station because they did not have photo ID, it is proposed that the Leader of the Council write to the Home Secretary to ask that voting ID requirements be suspended immediately for all elections and bi-elections until there can be a full enquiry into the proportionality and efficacy of this requirement."
Cllr Barry-Mears seconded the motion.
Cllr Pringle spoke as the proposer of the motion, stating that, as elected representatives, they welcome voters and that they represent the voices of all those in their wards. Cllr Pringle suggested that the interim findings of the electoral commission following the introduction of photo ID was concerning in terms of how it discriminated against particular voter groups. Cllr Pringle suggested that these groups are more vulnerable and are generally less empowered in society where there only method of having power over their circumstances is at the ballot box. Cllr Pringle commented that it is concerning for democracy and that they must encourage participation as well as reflect the values of democracy to ensure that every single person's vote matters. Cllr Pringle stated the preclusion of voting must not be forced on people by unjustified regulations.
Cllr Pringle advised that the basis for introducing the voter ID scheme has no clear evidence and she queried the motivation of bringing it in, noting that it did result in a number of undesirable consequences and should therefore be reviewed. Cllr Pringle explained that general awareness of voter ID was reasonably good at 87%, though awareness was significantly lower amongst black and minority ethnic voters and young people. Cllr Pringle commented that those in underrepresented groups were excluded even more with the most concerning being that those without valid photo ID are 13% less likely to vote. Cllr Pringle stated that many people can't afford a car or don't travel abroad and therefore don't have a driving licence or passport and that no one should be excluded from democracy because of this.
Cllr Pringle referred to particular residents who had not been able to vote, including one resident in social housing who was also a carer and was unable to vote due to not holding valid photo ID. Cllr Pringle referred to another resident in sheltered accommodation who was retired and was turned away for producing his National Service registration.
Cllr Pringle asked the Leader of the Council to write to the Home Secretary to demand that this impediment to people be removed, noting that these marginal numbers will affect outcomes and could disenfranchise vulnerable people.
Cllr Williams commented that they would not be supporting the motion, noting that voter ID is used across the world and described it as a positive step forward. Cllr Williams stated that other countries can manage voter ID and that he felt the residents of the UK could equally cope with presenting ID. Cllr Williams suggested that everybody in the room is likely to know someone who has voted for someone else and that voter identification is a positive step forward.
Cllr Banks supported Cllr Williams' comments, stating that the Electoral Commission's report is not due until September and that the interim report released in June shows that 92% of people were aware of voter ID with 0.7% initially turned away and 63% of these returned to vote. Cllr Banks described the matter as a small issue and suggested that voter fraud is a more significant issue, having risen from 300 cases 5 years ago to 2,000 last year and that this is likely to become a larger problem with globalisation.
Cllr Weston supported the motion, noting that residents were turned away and that members should trust their residents to vote without ID.
Cllr Wyatt-Lowe acknowledged the sentiment behind the motion, stating that it is a concern if the need for voter ID prevented people from voting. Cllr Wyatt-Lowe commented that it is essential to have voter ID in some areas of the country to help protect the rights of all votes and she confirmed she would not be supporting the motion. Cllr Wyatt-Lowe stated that she was reasonably confident that voters would embrace these new measures and that initial issues will be resolved, adding that members should ensure that these problems are being addressed by recognising that some people in the community do require protection.
Cllr Guest commented that, during the recent election campaign, she and her team informed people that they needed voter ID to vote and that most people were glad that their votes were being protected. Cllr Guest advised that most people stated they had valid voter ID and, for those who didn't, they were informed of how to apply for free voter ID through the Council and that Cllr Elliot went through the process of applying with someone on the doorstep. Cllr Guest noted the need for ID to protect people's identity from those looking to steal it for malicious purposes and asked why people should not be protected at the ballot box and that she would therefore not support the motion.
Cllr Pesch confirmed that Labour would be supporting the motion, noting that there was a small proportion where people may have voted in someone's place and that deterring people from voting for the sake of a few was not acceptable. Cllr Pesch advised that a number of people do not have valid photo ID and that she supported the motion.
Cllr Freedman referred to statistics raised by Cllr Banks, stating that he was not comfortable with there being anybody turned away, regardless of number. Cllr Freedman stated that they all played a part in encouraging people to sign up for voter ID if required. Cllr Freedman noted 37% voter turnout, which needs to be improved, and that they should focus on encouraging people to vote rather than creating additional obstacles.
Cllr Bhinder confirmed that he would be voting for change and would not be voting to change it back.
Cllr Bristow commented that they have conducted many elections without the need for voter ID and that putting in extra bureaucracy was more work. Cllr Bristow confirmed that he would support the motion and described it as a ridiculous move by the government.
Cllr Hobson referred to an earlier comment that voter ID is common practice and noted that mandatory ID is in place in a number of European countries. Cllr Hobson suggested that the threat to democracy is more relevant from the actions of Cambridge Analytica and claims on the sides of buses rather than voter fraud.
Cllr Wilkie supported the motion, stating that the motion is about people having the fundamental right to vote and that it is a disgrace that a bar is being put on already disenfranchised people. Cllr Wilkie stated that these measures impact those who are already in a difficult position and that she was appalled by the suggestion that it was acceptable if only a few voters were disenfranchised, stating that even one disenfranchised voter is a stain on democracy.
Cllr Patterson supported the motion, stating that the opposition does not appreciate how central government introduced the measures, such as senior bus passes being acceptable but student bus passes not. Cllr Patterson noted that Jacob Rees-Mogg admitted that it was an attempt to play the system in the Conservatives' favour. Cllr Patterson stated that there were more cases of postal vote fraud and queried if the opposition were not raising this as postal voters are more likely to vote Conservative.
Cllr England referred to unconscious bias training and urged members to check their bias when motions are brought to them. Cllr England commented that unless there is evidence that can be shown, they should not let process get in the way of democracy, and that there is no evidence in this case. Cllr England advised that he had spoken to over 300 people on polling day and that a significant number were not planning to vote as they didn't feel it was worth it and that they should therefore focus on encouraging people to vote. Cllr England noted that other European countries have a culture of ID cards, which the UK does not have. Cllr England asked why people should be prevented where there is no significant evidence in place for it.
Cllr Barry-Mears seconded the motion, firstly referring to the argument made by the opposition that people would get used to the new measures and suggested that similar comments may have been made in Nazi Germany. Cllr Barry-Mears referred to an earlier comment that everyone had voted on behalf of someone else and suggested that they should look to report anyone involved in voter fraud. Cllr Barry-Mears noted that student photo ID was not allowed and that the measures could also impact newly wedded women who are awaiting new ID. Cllr Barry-Mears suggested that if the opposition knows people who have conducted voter fraud then it suggests this is an ingrained issue and it is not within the people that they want to stop voting. Cllr Barry-Mears noted that voter turnout fell, that some people returned with valid ID but that others had been unable to. Cllr Barry-Mears commented that she was confident that the motion would pass and that this shows the change in administration required.
The Chair commented that he was uncomfortable with analogies involving Nazi Germany and that such parallels should be drawn with extreme caution.
Cllr Pringle summarised, noting that the passion of Cllr Barry-Mears was justified as she understood how hard she worked to encourage young people to sign up for voter registration. Cllr Pringle commented that student loans are increasing and that young people turning 18 just after an election may mean they don't get to vote until they are 23. This portion of the demographic is disenfranchised and Cllr Pringle questioned the decision to deprive young people of their vote. Cllr Pringle stated that it was not a democratic decision and was therefore autocratic. Cllr Pringle stated that she was proud to make a decision based on evidence and to apply rational decision-making to her thoughts before speaking and that was she was therefore unsure about some of the comments made. Cllr Pringle advised that the motion was worded to propose that the arrangements be suspended, not abolished, to allow for a full enquiry for the proportionality and efficacy. Cllr Pringle suggested that everyone who spoke against the motion was not in favour of evidence-based decision-making and she asked why they are putting staff in a position of having to deny people their democratic right. Cllr Pringle added that a helpline needs to be in place to assist people and enable everybody to vote rather than depriving people of their right to vote. Cllr Pringle noted her surprise at Cllr Williams' comments that everybody knows someone who has voted for someone else and suggested that Cllr Williams doesn't know anyone who has committed voter fraud, unless he is providing evidence to the police.
The Chair asked Cllr Pringle to be careful of casting doubt over Cllr Williams' comments.
Cllr Pringle retracted the comment and noted her surprise that anyone would know anyone who openly talks about committing voter fraud. Cllr Pringle suggested that there is a tendency to speak ideas that will be taken up as fact and she asked members to consider the evidence. Cllr Pringle stated that believing everyone has a passport or driving licence shows members are out of touch with reality and that they should look to inspire people to vote. Cllr Pringle referred to an earlier comment regarding stealing votes and suggested that the inadequate, underfunded measure means that the Conservative government is stealing votes.
Members voted on the motion. The motion was approved with 30 votes for and 15 votes against.
It was confirmed that the Leader of the Council would therefore be called upon to act accordingly.