You may not have heard yet, but the government have rushed through a new law requiring all those who vote in person at polling stations to show suitable photo ID before they can cast their ballot.

Despite the current system working well, with satisfaction and confidence in our voting system at incredibly high levels, the government have introduced these new voting restrictions with only four months to go until the local elections.

I believe that these new barriers to using our most fundamental democratic right are a desperate and cynical attempt to disrupt the current system, rather than improve it.

In the 2019 general election, only one person was convicted of voter impersonation – so what problem is this heavy-handed solution trying to solve?

Now, one case is one too many but what of the estimated 2m people who would be excluded in this country because they lack the necessary ID?

In our borough, the government’s own research suggests up to 5,000 people could be blocked from voting.

Again, the evidence shows those most likely not to have the government’s limited list of photo ID are the poorest and most marginalised.

These are the people who most need a voice in our democratic process, not have false barriers put in their way.

In response to these concerns, the council has been tasked to run a new system for those currently without the necessary ID.

With the potential for up to 5,000 people requiring this service, the extra burden on the council’s staff will be quite severe but we have committed to doing all we can to respond to this demand.

This adds costs to the process, so too will the need for extra staff in our polling stations.

In fact, it is estimated that these new voting restrictions will cost £180m over the next decade, at a time when the government are claiming there is not the money to pay our nurses properly.

There are not just concerns about this politically, the Association of Electoral Administrators has said it has grave concerns about the timescale and staffing requirements.

The Electoral Commission, the official watchdog that will oversee the rollout of voter ID, has said the timetable could affect some eligible voters, lead to confusion, and mean valid voters are turned away.

It is clear therefore, that the current rushed proposals to introduce voting restrictions must be at least delayed and hopefully scrapped.

They are neither necessary nor suitable to be introduced at this late hour.

For the full list of accepted voter ID, go to www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

For those without valid ID, you can get a Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.