Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly "rushing" to implement major voting reforms that could impact millions of people across the UK. The controversial changes would scrap photo ID requirements at polling stations, allowing voters to use bank cards for identification instead.
Representation of the People Bill
The Representation of the People Bill seeks to overturn Conservative legislation from 2023 that requires photo ID when voting. Under the new proposals, bank cards without photographs would be accepted as valid identification.
The bill also includes provisions to lower the voting age to 16 and impose tougher restrictions on political donations, potentially targeting Reform's cryptocurrency contributions.
Concerns and speculation
While the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators back the bill, both have expressed concerns about allowing bank cards as voter ID.
The rapid progress of the legislation is fuelling speculation that Burnham may call an early general election, despite the next one not being due until August 2029.
