Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly "rushing" to implement a major change that could impact millions of people. Amid mounting speculation that he will call an early general election, the Prime Minister is understood to be accelerating legislation to scrap photo ID requirements at polling stations, according to the Telegraph.
Bank cards as voter ID
The somewhat controversial reforms would allow people to cast their vote using simply a bank card for identification purposes. Existing legislation, which the Conservatives introduced in 2023, requires voters to show photo ID when turning up at polling stations.
However, the new proposals, set out in the Representation of the People Bill, seek to widen the types of acceptable ID to include bank cards that carry no photograph of their holders, reports the Express. The bill also includes tougher restrictions on political donations, leading to suggestions Labour wants to ban two contributions Reform received from cryptocurrency billionaires.
Voting age and committee stage
The bill would also grant voting rights to people aged 16 and over, and is expected to reach committee stage in the Lords in the coming weeks.
The bill has attracted widespread backing from organisations including the Electoral Commission and the Association of Electoral Administrators, although both bodies have expressed concern about its provisions allowing bank cards as voter ID.
Speculation over early election
The next general election must be held by August 2029, yet the pace at which the bill is gaining traction is only fuelling speculation that the Prime Minister will call an early general election.
