Labour blocks anti-voting fraud plans
Monday, 24 November 2008 8:00 AM
The Labour party has blocked opposition amendments designed to combat electoral fraud.
The amendments for the political parties and elections bill would enforce voter registration and require voters to prove their identity at polling stations through ID or a bankcard previous to voting.
"The government's lax attitude on electoral fraud flies in the face of expert opinion," Alexandra Runswick, deputy director of Unlock Democracy said.
"There are plenty of things the government could be doing before the election. If they don't take action now, there is a real danger that the necessary reforms won't be ready in time for the election after next."
The bill has garnered widespread disapproval in light of recent voter fraud court cases in Peterborough, Slough and Birmingham.
"It is extremely disturbing that voters who live in the 'Mother of Democracies' are so vulnerable to having their votes stolen," Ms Runswick said.
"Government ministers should be less concerned about deciding when the next general election should be held and more about ensuring it will be fair and fraud-free."
Unlock Democracy, an independent all-party campaign for constitutional reform in the UK, has launched a 'stamp out voting fraud' campaign as a reaction to Labour's amendment block.
"I am concerned that recent changes in electoral law in England and Wales have encouraged electoral fraud," Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, said.
"My early day motion highlights both the problem we face and the solution, which our Northern Irish cousins found six years ago, yet the government seem hesitant to introduce here."
The campaign has achieved preliminary parliamentary backing from all parties.
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