The Elections Bill - A Genuine Threat to Our Democracy

In the latest attempted power grab by the Tories, the Cabinet Office has recently introduced the Elections Bill, which is set to pass into law and restrict democracy, as well as bias the electoral system in favour of the very people who pass it.

The main aspect of the bill is the introduction of voter ID, which will require the public to show photo identification before voting in elections. On the face of it, this seems harmless - and the Government is capitalising on this. The reality, however, is far more sinister than it seems at first glance.

Voter ID legislation is popular in the US - currently 36 states have laws requiring some form of identification in elections - and for one very specific reason. Making voter ID mandatory means those who don't have (or, in the States, can't afford) it are less likely to vote. And it is no coincidence that these people tend to be young, of colour (particularly African American), and on the lower end of the wealth divide. All the people who vote Democrat. In Republican-dominated areas, state legislatures use tactics like this and gerrymandering (redrawing district boundaries in their favour) to maintain and ensure their continued dominance.

This essentially amounts to voter suppression. According to the Government's own analysis, over 2 million people (4% of the population) in the UK lack a recognisable form of ID. Unemployed people, those with disabilities, and without educational qualifications are disproportionately affected - all of whom are, of course, more likely to vote Labour (or against the Tories).

The Government is trying to justify the legislation on the basis of fraud prevention, as it often is in the US. Except that story just doesn't wash. In the last six years, out of over 150 million votes cast in all UK elections, there have been less than 100 allegations of in-person fraud (which voter ID prevents), and less than 10 prosecutions. It is a total non-issue, and yet the Government is choosing to spend an estimated £20 million per election to facilitate it. You don't have to look hard to see why.

Other elements of the bill are serious causes for concern as well. It would eliminate the rule which prevents expats who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from donating to British political parties. Many of the Conservative Party's wealthiest donors live abroad, like John Gore, who resides in the Bahamas, and was their biggest donor at the 2019 election. No prizes for guessing why this clause was included, then.

Non-party campaigners are also penalised, with stricter limits being placed on joint campaign spending. This will hit Labour and the trade unions hardest, with each of the 12 affiliated unions spending capacity reduced from £390,000 per election to just £30,000.

This kind of undercutting of the opposition finances while enriching their own, not to mention suppressive voter laws, completely undermines the fairness of the democratic process. Democracy relies upon the openness of elections, and the willingness of all parties to accept defeat and transfer power. When a party tries to manipulate elections like this, democracy is genuinely being threatened.

'Kill the Bill' protests in London over laws which would erode freedom of protest

Should the bill pass, elections will be rigged in the favour of the Tories for many years to come. This Government has now repeatedly shown its authoritarian tendencies, setting a dangerous precedent for future Conservative Prime Ministers, who now have a green light to continue along this path towards a hollowed-out, empty shell of a democracy. The US is further along that road - and look where they are now. Riots from the losing party. Widespread hatred. A deep, worsening polarisation of the political system. Is this what we want in the UK?

The bill is currently in the Committee Stage in the House of Commons, having already passed the Second Reading, which debates the main principles. The details will now be examined in detail, and hopefully the serious harm this bill would do will become apparent to enough Conservative MPs to convince them to rebel and vote against it - I wouldn't be too optimistic.

With a reshuffle in Cabinet coming up, and most looking to further their political careers, I doubt many will be inclined to break the party line and risk their precious jobs. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise us.

At the very least, we can always vote them out at the next election. Or maybe not...

Thank you for reading!

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