Today in the House of Lords, a motion has been tabled to try to block new Voter ID regulations.
The regulations would mean that photo identification would be required in order to vote - something that millions of people in the UK do not have.
The changes are supposed to stop voter fraud, but in 2019 there was just one conviction for in-person voter fraud in the entire country.
The NPC opposes the introduction of voter ID and Jan Shortt, NPC General Secretary, has written to Baroness Pinnock.
Download the letter to Baroness Pinnock
Dear Lady Pinnock,
Re: Voter ID
I write on behalf of the National Pensioners Convention, the largest campaigning organisation for older people in the UK.
We want to thank you on behalf for the work you are doing on Voter ID. We have challenged the use of photographic and other identification at elections as this discriminates against those without the means to attain that identity. We have also challenged the barriers for such individuals put in place to access the government system to get a 'voting pass'. In short, we have been ignored.
The vast majority of older people do not use the internet. Therefore, website access is useless to them and others in society who are unable to afford the cost of broadband and devices.
Everyone has the right to vote in local and general elections. Voter fraud (the reason given for this move) is minimal and we do not accept that the majority should be penalised for the very small minority.
The Voter ID issue is one which the NPC is very concerned to have repealed and we wish you well in your efforts in the Upper House with your motion. We look forward to a positive outcome.
Yours sincerely
Jan Shortt
General Secretary