THE local elections on May 5 will be the last before voters need photo ID to be allowed to vote.

3.5 million voters don’t have either a driving license or passport, so will have to trek to their local council office, fill out a form and get their photo taken in order to carry out their basic democratic right.

This is because the Government finally managed to push through their elections bill last week, which, as well as forcing voters to show ID, gives the Government new powers to set their own terms for the Electoral Commission.

The biggest problem with our democracy is low turnout. Nearly two thirds of voters in North Yorkshire didn’t vote. This bill will deter and suppress millions of people from voting – mostly poor and young people. Bit by bit, this Government is eroding our democracy so they can hold on to power. The tragedy is that most people don’t seem to care.

Doug Clark

Cononley