Boris Johnson has paid tribute to residents who Sky News revealed turned him away from a polling station when he tried to vote without valid photo ID – in line with rules he introduced.
The former prime minister said he tried to vote using a magazine cover with his name and address as proof, but was prevented from doing so.
The requirement to present a photo ID was introduced by Mr Johnson during his time at Downing Street as part of the 2022 Election Act.
The move was controversial due to fears it would prevent people from voting, especially among disadvantaged groups.
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Johnson was trying to vote in South Oxfordshire, where a police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley was being elected.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, he said: “I want to pay special tribute to the three residents who on Thursday, rightly, turned me away when I turned up at the polling station with nothing to prove my identity except the cover of my copy of Prospect. magazine, in which my name and address were printed.
“I showed it to them and they seemed very dubious…within minutes I was back with my driving license and voted Conservative.”
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Thursday’s election is the first time that many voters in England and Wales have had to present ID to vote, under provisions first implemented at last year’s local elections.
In addition to driving licenses, other acceptable forms of identification include passports, proof of age cards, blue badges and some concessionary travel cards.
The administration also said it intends to make veterans’ ID cards a valid form of voter identification after former employees were turned away.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer apologized to those who were unable to use the ID to vote, promising to “do everything I can” to add it to the valid identification list.
Labor said the government had years to ensure the card was included, having started implementing the scheme in 2019.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
