Mr Rees-Mogg believes the government's attempt at "gerrymandering" has "come back to bite them"
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Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg implied that the introduction of voter ID was an attempt at “gerrymandering” that backfired against the Conservatives.
The former cabinet minister said the policy, which saw voters across England required to present photo ID when casting their ballots at May’s local elections, had made it harder for elderly Conservatives to vote and “upset a system that worked perfectly well”.
Speaking at the National Conservatism conference in Westminster on Monday, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “Parties that try and gerrymander end up finding their clever scheme comes back to bite them, as dare I say we found by insisting on voter ID for elections.
“We found the people who didn’t have ID were elderly and they by and large voted Conservative, so we made it hard for our own voters and we upset a system that worked perfectly well.”
This has been a consistent criticism of the policy from the Labour Party as well as groups including trade unions and civil rights groups.
The Government has consistently denied that voter ID was an attempt at “gerrymandering”, but rather is intended to prevent voter fraud and ensure confidence in the UK’s elections.
Following the elections on 4 May, the Electoral Commission acknowledged that some people had been unable to vote due to a lack of ID, but it remains unclear how many were turned away and whether they were predominantly older or younger voters.
The Electoral Commission has said it will publish an initial analysis on the impact of voter ID in June ahead of a full report in September.
Downing Street, when asked about Mr Rees-Mogg’s remarks, said the voter ID policy had not been about looking to give the ruling party an advantage but instead was targeted at reducing attempts of fraud at polling stations.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve talked at length about the rationale for the introduction of voter ID and the importance of guarding against the possibility of election fraud.”
He highlighted the requirement for the electorate in Northern Ireland to have to show photo ID since 2003 and said similar schemes were in place in “many other European countries”.
Asked whether he saying “no” to the question of gerrymandering being a factor in its introduction, the spokesman said: “(That is) also a shorter way of saying so.”
Speech disrupted by anti-fascist protester
Mr Rees-Mogg’s speech was also interrupted by an anti-fascist protester.
Shortly after the Tory MP began speaking, a man joined him at the lectern and told the audience: 'I would like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism.' Credit: ITN
Shortly after he began speaking, a man stormed the stage and told the audience:
“Ladies and gentlemen, you’re very nice people and I’m sure you are fantastic. I’d like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism…”
He was removed from the stage by security, with the audience laughing and cheering.
Submitted Article
HeadlineJacob Rees-Mogg implies government voter ID plan is ‘gerrymandering’
Short Headline Rees-Mogg implies voter ID plan is 'gerrymandering'
StandfirstThe senior Conservative MP says the local election results show voter ID has "come back to bite" the Conservatives
Published Article
HeadlineJacob Rees-Mogg implies Government voter ID law was attempt at ‘gerrymandering’
Short HeadlineRees-Mogg implies Tory voter ID law 'gerrymandering'
StandfirstThe senior Conservative MP said the local election results showed voter ID has "come back to bite" the party.
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has spoken out against the use of voter ID.
Speaking at the National Conservatism Conference, Mr Rees-Mogg said “Parties that try and gerrymander end up finding their clever scheme comes back to bite them, as dare I say we found by insisting on voter ID for elections.”
“We found the people who didn’t have ID were elderly and they by and large voted Conservative, so we made it hard for our own voters and we upset a system that worked perfectly well.”
The senior Conservative backbencher was responding to reports that Labour is considering expanding the vote to EU citizens.
When Mr Rees-Mogg was a minister, he defended the introduction of voter ID in Parliament.
Speech disrupted by anti-fascist protestor
Mr Rees-Mogg’s speech was also interrupted by an anti-fascist protester.
Shortly after the Tory MP began speaking, a man joined him at the lectern and told the audience: 'I would like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism.' Credit: ITN
Shortly after he began speaking, a man stormed the stage and told the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen, you’re very nice people and I’m sure you are fantastic. I’d like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism…”
He was removed from the stage by security, with the audience laughing and cheering.
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg implied that the introduction of voter ID was an attempt at “gerrymandering” that backfired against the Conservatives.
The former cabinet minister said the policy, which saw voters across England required to present photo ID when casting their ballots at May’s local elections, had made it harder for elderly Conservatives to vote and “upset a system that worked perfectly well”.
Speaking at the National Conservatism conference in Westminster on Monday, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “Parties that try and gerrymander end up finding their clever scheme comes back to bite them, as dare I say we found by insisting on voter ID for elections.
“We found the people who didn’t have ID were elderly and they by and large voted Conservative, so we made it hard for our own voters and we upset a system that worked perfectly well.”
This has been a consistent criticism of the policy from the Labour Party as well as groups including trade unions and civil rights groups.
The Government has consistently denied that voter ID was an attempt at “gerrymandering”, but rather is intended to prevent voter fraud and ensure confidence in the UK’s elections.
Following the elections on 4 May, the Electoral Commission acknowledged that some people had been unable to vote due to a lack of ID, but it remains unclear how many were turned away and whether they were predominantly older or younger voters.
The Electoral Commission has said it will publish an initial analysis on the impact of voter ID in June ahead of a full report in September.
Downing Street, when asked about Mr Rees-Mogg’s remarks, said the voter ID policy had not been about looking to give the ruling party an advantage but instead was targeted at reducing attempts of fraud at polling stations.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve talked at length about the rationale for the introduction of voter ID and the importance of guarding against the possibility of election fraud.”
He highlighted the requirement for the electorate in Northern Ireland to have to show photo ID since 2003 and said similar schemes were in place in “many other European countries”.
Asked whether he saying “no” to the question of gerrymandering being a factor in its introduction, the spokesman said: “(That is) also a shorter way of saying so.”
Speech disrupted by anti-fascist protester
Mr Rees-Mogg’s speech was also interrupted by an anti-fascist protester.
Shortly after the Tory MP began speaking, a man joined him at the lectern and told the audience: 'I would like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism.' Credit: ITN
Shortly after he began speaking, a man stormed the stage and told the audience:
“Ladies and gentlemen, you’re very nice people and I’m sure you are fantastic. I’d like to draw your attention to a few characteristics of fascism…”
He was removed from the stage by security, with the audience laughing and cheering.
