One of the first things Donald Trump did as US president was call for strict voter ID rules to tackle what he claimed was “widespread voter fraud”.
The fact is there was no mass election tinkering in American elections.
It was a blatant attempt to stop African-American voters going to the polls – as they often did not have the photo ID required.
Now, the same tactic has crossed the Atlantic and the Tories seem determined to rip up voter ID rules which have worked perfectly well at general elections for more than a century.
Under new Tory election rules going through parliament, voters will be required to show photo ID at polling stations before they are handed a ballot paper.
If the Tories’ Election Bill clears its final hurdles at Westminster, voters will be expected to show a passport, drivers licence or an older person’s bus pass.
If they don’t have one of those three, they can apply for a so-called “voter card”.
Anti-poverty campaigners correctly point out that those on the lowest incomes are already the least likely to vote.
They are also much less likely to have a passport or drivers licence.
Very few of those who already don’t vote will go to the trouble of having to get a special card allowing them to do so.
This proposal will place yet another barrier in the way of their participation in our democracy.
And we could soon see the grim prospect of voters being turned away at polling stations because they can’t meet Tory rules.
This shameless and hopeless Conservative government very rarely do the right thing.
Ditching this undemocratic and divisive proposal would be an unusual but very welcome step.
Help our NHS
With Covid cases rocketing and hospitalisations on the rise across Scotland, it is no surprise NHS health boards are asking for military help to get through the tough winter months.
One health board has announced it is ready to declare a “major incident” and sadly it won’t be the last due to the rapid spread of Omicron.
It is now more important than ever to stick to the guidance surrounding social mixing, maintaining good hygiene and wearing face masks in enclosed spaces.
Getting the booster jab gives us and the NHS another line of defence against this dreadful and stubborn virus.
The NHS has faced some tough periods since the pandemic struck in March 2020 and this winter could be the worst yet in its 73-year history.
All of us need to do what we can to help – our frontline NHS heroes are depending on you.
