Lib Dems have tabled a 'fatal motion' in the Lords to kill off the government's voter ID plans
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Liberal Democrats will be calling a vote which would halt in its tracks Voter ID laws from progressing through Parliament.
Tomorrow [Monday 12 December] Liberal Democrats will force a division on the Voter ID regulations in the House of Commons. On Tuesday, [13 December] Liberal Democrat Peers will be forcing a vote on their fatal motion.
A fatal motion is a rare parliamentary procedure which would kill off the passage of the Government’s legislation. This is the strongest opposition which can be taken in the House of Lords.
This motion, if passed, would stop these regulations from becoming law and end voter ID starting at the May 2023 local elections.
Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Pinnock, who tabled the fatal motion said:
“The Liberal Democrats will fight tooth and nail against this Government’s attempt to make it far more difficult for people to vote - just as we saw in Trump’s America.
“Safeguarding our democracy and our birthright to vote should be the priority of any responsible government. But, unless you have the right documents, this birthright will snatched away from you by the Conservative Government.
“We are opposing these plans to disenfranchise thousands and thousands of people from every background. We will oppose it in the strongest possible way, by forcing a vote in both Houses of Parliament.
“The Government must drop this devious and damaging plan.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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Full text of the Fatal Motion
Baroness Pinnock to move, as an amendment to the motion in the name of Baroness Scott of Bybrook, leave out from “that” to the end and insert “this House declines to approve the draft Voter Identification Regulations 2022 as they will prevent legitimate electors from voting in elections and disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups”.
