Kill the opposition

[Aruntraveller]

Previously I wrote on here about the PCSC Bill which in my view, and of many others, is a tool to allow the government to stifle voices of opposition.

Now we have the proposal of photo ID:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/10/queens-speech-photo-id-future-elections-social-care?

A clear attempt to suppress people from voting. Who does it affect most?

Younger voters as they are less likely to have Driving Licences or passports.

Who do younger voters tend to vote for?

Left of centre parties. Add into that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the UK.

Are we so blind that we are going to let Johnson and co succeed in spreading misinformation in much the same way that Trump did over voter fraud.

Are you seeing a pattern yet?

[Aruntraveller]

I forgot to add this:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/09/government-to-change-english-voting-system-after-labour-mayoral-victories?

Let's go from a more democratic representation of the people's will to a less democratic version.

[Harrowby Hall]

I forgot to add this:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/09/government-to-change-english-voting-system-after-labour-mayoral-victories?

Let's go from a more democratic representation of the people's will to a less democratic version.

I am concerned that "first past the post" is gradually turning England into a one party state. I think that there are developing parallels with the Germany of ninety years ago. The traditional working class is diminishing in size and people are encouraged to own their own homes rather than rent from a local authority (or more likely a housing association) or private landlord. The traditional Labour Party may not be perceived by many people as no longer appropriate to their needs.

Another factor is the (to me) unwelcome introduction of personality politics - especially the encouragement of the branded party leader. The current Conservative leader, examined critically, is a case in point. His name is Alexander Johnson but he has branded himself "Boris" and has worked assiduously for many years promoting this brand. I do not believe that he has any real political principles himself but merely adopts those which he thinks will enhance his brand. Hence, by adopting the EU leaver pose he would be in a position to acquire UKIP followers when that party eventually folded.

Personality politics worked spectacularly in Italy and Germany, and in the USSR masqueraded as "socialist" for nearly seven decades.

[jeremyp]

Last Thursday I voted in five elections without any need to show I was eligible to vote. I didn't even need to take my polling card with me. Anybody who had my name and address could have voted in my place.

This fact has always astonished me.

[Aruntraveller]

This is hard for me - I'm agreeing with David Davis:

 Senior Tory David Davis has labelled Boris Johnson’s voter ID plans an ‘illiberal solution for a non-existent problem’

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Previously I wrote on here about the PCSC Bill which in my view, and of many others, is a tool to allow the government to stifle voices of opposition.

Now we have the proposal of photo ID:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/10/queens-speech-photo-id-future-elections-social-care?

A clear attempt to suppress people from voting. Who does it affect most?

Younger voters as they are less likely to have Driving Licences or passports.

Who do younger voters tend to vote for?

Left of centre parties. Add into that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the UK.

Are we so blind that we are going to let Johnson and co succeed in spreading misinformation in much the same way that Trump did over voter fraud.

Are you seeing a pattern yet?

yep, and opposition is being Killed in other immediate ways too.
 
Starmer gets Boris on Sleaze. All of a sudden sleaze is old hat (A Fallacy of modernity if ever there was)
The public doesn't care about it. Result nobody tackles the PM on it vis Boris and Carrie's trip to Mustique. Opposition Killed.

[Udayana]

...
Another factor is the (to me) unwelcome introduction of personality politics - especially the encouragement of the branded party leader. The current Conservative leader, examined critically, is a case in point. His name is Alexander Johnson but he has branded himself "Boris" and has worked assiduously for many years promoting this brand. I do not believe that he has any real political principles himself but merely adopts those which he thinks will enhance his brand. Hence, by adopting the EU leaver pose he would be in a position to acquire UKIP followers when that party eventually folded.
...

Indeed... all very Orwellian.

A thread from George Monbiot pointing out similarities with Orban's Hungary:
https://twitter.com/GeorgeMonbiot/status/1392060740954116097?s=20

[Udayana]

Last Thursday I voted in five elections without any need to show I was eligible to vote. I didn't even need to take my polling card with me. Anybody who had my name and address could have voted in my place.

This fact has always astonished me.

Don't see why that should be surprising. That enough people would go from polling station to polling station impersonating others to steal their votes and make any difference to the outcome, is very unlikely if not logistically impossible. Especially as, at any point where the eligible voter turned up, the fraud would be discovered.

Also checking IDs does nothing for postal vote fraud, which is generally more likely.
       
I think this proposal has its base in the conviction of a certain group that the country is being overrun by black and brown immigrants who are all illegal and "look the same", let alone vote for Labour.

Fine. If they want proof of identity, they should go the whole hog and have official ID cards for all, Just like most of Europe.   

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Don't see why that should be surprising. That enough people would go from polling station to polling station impersonating others to steal their votes and make any difference to the outcome, is very unlikely if not logistically impossible. Especially as, at any point where the eligible voter turned up, the fraud would be discovered.

Also checking IDs does nothing for postal vote fraud, which is generally more likely.
       
I think this proposal has its base in the conviction of a certain group that the country is being overrun by black and brown immigrants who are all illegal and "look the same", let alone vote for Labour.



Fine. If they want proof of identity, they should go the whole hog and have official ID cards for all, Just like most of Europe.

The choice of which documents will be valid will be interesting. In Texas a gun licence will do but a student ID card will not apparently (source LBC)

[Aruntraveller]

“If I am ever asked, on the streets of London, or in any other venue, public or private, to produce my ID card as evidence that I am who I say I am, when I have done nothing wrong and when I am simply ambling along and breathing God's fresh air like any other freeborn Englishman, then I will take that card out of my wallet and physically eat it in the presence of whatever emanation of the state has demanded that I produce it.”

I wonder who said this?

Let me think?

Can anyone guess?

[Harrowby Hall]

Is it someone who lives in tied accommodation in the centre of London and whose favourite leisure activity is not wearing a condom?

[Aruntraveller]

By George, he's got it!

[Aruntraveller]

On it goes:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/electoral-commission-boris-johnson-flat-b1868407.html?

[Aruntraveller]

Informative article on the on-going attempts to kill the opposition:

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/elections-bill-democracy-policing-b1881313.html?

[SteveH]

Last Thursday I voted in five elections without any need to show I was eligible to vote. I didn't even need to take my polling card with me. Anybody who had my name and address could have voted in my place.

This fact has always astonished me.

True, but in practise it hardly ever happens.