News
General Election: What documents can you use as photo ID?
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EVERYONE participating at this General Election will need ID in order to cast their vote
There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, external to vote in person in England, Scotland and Wales, including:
- passports
- driving licences
- older or Disabled Person’s bus passes
- Oyster 60+ cards
You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.
If you wear a face covering, such as a medical mask or a veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it briefly, external so polling station staff can check that your ID looks like you.
There are nine valid forms of ID, external to vote in Northern Ireland, including:
- passports
- driving licences
- senior travel passes
- war disablement passes
What if you don’t have an acceptable form of ID?
You can exchange a paper driving licence for a photocard, or apply for a photocard travel pass if you are aged 60 or over, disabled or registered blind or partially sighted.
Alternatively, anyone registered to vote, external without the correct ID – or who no longer looks like their photo – can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate., external
However, the deadline to apply for one to use in the general election has now passed.
Voters in England, Scotland and Wales whose ID is lost or stolen after the deadline can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external up until 17:00 on polling day. Both they and their proxy – a person nominated to vote on their behalf – must already be registered to vote.
Voters in Northern Ireland who do not have the correct ID can use an electoral identity card, external, but the deadline to apply for one of these for the general election has also passed.
What happens if you can’t show valid ID at the polling station?
If you go to the polling station without the correct ID, you will be asked to come back with valid documentation.
If you think your ID has been wrongly rejected, the Electoral Commission – which oversees UK elections – says you should notify the presiding officer at the polling station., external If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with your council’s returning officer.
Polling station staff record how many voters are turned away, as well as the number who return with valid ID.
According to the commission, about 14,000 people were unable to vote in the May 2023 local elections in England as a result of the new rules. Equivalent figures for the 2024 local elections are not yet available.
Why do voters need photo ID?
When the photo ID rules were introduced, the government said it would stop votes being stolen, although that is quite unusual in the UK.
There were 1,462 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to police between 2019 and 2023, according to the Electoral Commission., external
Of these, 11 involved impersonation at polling stations. One resulted in a conviction and one in a caution, and the police took no further action in the other nine cases.
The Electoral Commission has called on the government to expand the list of accepted ID and to allow voters to cast their ballot without ID if another registered voter could vouch for their identity.
(Source: BBC Newshub/Electoral Commission)
Crime
Man arrested on suspicion of murder in Carmarthenshire
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DETECTIVES from Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the death of a woman, following the discovery of a body at a house in Bigyn Road, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on Friday (Jul 5).
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A police spokesperson said: “We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, however there will continue to be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days as the enquiry continues.
“Anyone with information that might assist is asked to get in touch with the police by calling 101.
“Quote reference 304 of July 5.”
Crime
Motorist sentenced for A40 collision which killed Welsh triathlon and Ironman star
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VASILE Barbu, 49, sentenced to four years imprisonment after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving
A WELSH motorist who was involved in a collision which killed Welsh triathlon and Ironman star, Rebecca Comins was sentenced today at Cardiff Crown Court.
Vasile Barbu was driving a white Vauxhall Movano van on the A40 on Thursday 2 June 2022 which collided with a cyclist.
Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service attended and confirmed that the cyclist, Rebecca Comins, had died at the scene.
Barbu was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 7 June and today (Friday 5 July) was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for four years.
Senior investigating officer, PS Shane Draper said: “Rebecca was an experienced and talented cyclist – she did everything she could to stay safe of the roads – but the actions of a fellow road user saw her life tragically cut short.
“Driving is a privilege, and not something that should be taken for granted or taken lightly.
“This is reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – you are in control of a potentially dangerous machine – your responsibility isn’t just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you.
“I would like to thank and commend the family for their strength during this difficult time and I hope that this conviction helps provide them with some closure as they continue to process their loss. My thoughts remain with them”.
The family of Rebecca Comins previously issued a statement following the verdict.
Farming
FUW sends message to Starmer for a fair annual funding for Welsh agriculture
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THE Farmers’ Union of Wales will waste no time in sending a clear message to the incoming UK Labour Government at Westminster that Wales seeks a fair, annual funding settlement of £450 million in EU CAP legacy funding to support food production, the rural economy and the work farmers do for the environment.
Winning a landslide general election at a time when Welsh farming faces an important crossroads, the UK Labour Party now has the opportunity to influence the future of rural Wales for decades to come.
Speaking in response to the results, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister and his party for a historic general election victory, and thank those MPs we have worked closely with over the past five years.
“This election has brought about considerable change to the political landscape of Wales, with a significant reduction in the number of constituencies, changes in boundaries, and now a new UK Labour Government holding a majority in Westminster.
“The FUW is not affiliated to any political party and is therefore prepared to engage and work with politicians from all parties to ensure the voices of Welsh farmers are heard.”
The FUW General Election Manifesto sets out the Union’s key priorities of the incoming government, focussing on securing a fair, multi-annual funding settlement of at least £450 million per year in EU CAP legacy funding for agriculture and rural development in Wales. The role of this support in underpinning food production, environmental protection and rural communities in Wales cannot be underestimated.
It is essential that the newly elected UK Government ensures that any future deals with other countries and trading blocs take a far more robust approach that protects UK farmers and food security. With that, food imports and exports must be subject to the same custom and standard controls which provides a level playing field between UK and EU producers.
The Union’s Manifesto also calls on the UK Government to introduce procurement policies that prioritise public body support for Welsh and British businesses and promote a more transparent supply chain.
“Whilst the direction of farming in Wales heavily depends on the development of devolved agricultural policies, we must not forget how decisions made by the incoming UK administration will effectively determine the degree of funding the Welsh Government has available to support agriculture and rural development. It will also rule the extent of which Welsh producers are expected to compete against producers in other UK nations and across the globe on various levels.
“This is why we will waste no time in contacting the newly elected MPs in Wales and those that take on influential roles in parliament to ensure that we outline our key priorities at an early stage.
“Despite the challenge of navigating an ever changing political landscape, our role as the FUW in lobbying governments for the best possible outcomes for Welsh agriculture remains constant and relentless,” said Ian Rickman.
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