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Don’t lose your voice
Unite is urging people across the country to make sure they are registered to vote with with just days left before the end of the transition period to new the individual electoral registration system.
Figures suggest as many as two million people may be wiped from the electoral roll by the changes brought about by Tory legislation – with the last day for online registration the 16th (this coming Monday).
Under the rule changes people must register to vote individually, rather than being registered as part of a household or university group. Anyone who hasn’t re-registered, or whose councils are unable to match with tax or benefit records, will simply be removed from the list at the end of November.
Biggest disenfranchisement
Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary, said the government was engaged in the “biggest disenfranchisement in British history”, with the aim of gaining political advantage.
“This is a shocking attack on democracy in this country from a Tory government which knows only too well that the vast majority of those likely to lose the vote will be people in deprived communities and among ethnic minorities,” Turner added.
Underhand tactics
“The register later this month will form the basis of the Commons boundary changes and David Cameron is using underhand tactics to maximise the chances of a Conservative victory in 2020. He should be utterly ashamed at this anti-democratic ploy.
“The simple message from Unite is – anyone who’s unsure whether they are registered or not should act, phone your local council or go online and register directly. But please do it quickly,” said Turner.
The London borough of Hackney will be worst hit, with a staggering 23 per cent of its electorate set to lose out.
Across the capital the figure is seven per cent, and eight per cent in Birmingham. Around Scotland nearly six per cent will disappear from the electoral roll.
The government’s own advisory body – the Electoral Commission – has warned against the move with around eight million potential voters already missing.
You can see how your region is likely to be effected here and find out what to do to make sure you continue to have the vote.
Please also share this video to encourage people to #RegisterToVote
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
