Political figures have warned people will be disenfranchised if ID is required for votes.

Labour leaders in Wandsworth have condemned Government plans to introduce a requirement for voters to prove their identity before casting their ballot.

Downing Street said it was a “reasonable approach” and 99.6% of people in pilots requiring people to show photographic ID had managed to vote without difficulty.

The Government has defended the move as an attempt to combat electoral fraud, but local MPs have argued it could harm democracy.

Legislation on the issue was included in the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday (May 11).

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Showing ID to vote is a reasonable approach to combat the inexcusable potential for voter fraud in our current system and to strengthen the integrity of our elections.

“Showing ID is something people do when they pick up a parcel at the post office or a library book.

“The 2019 voter ID pilots showed that in elections where photo ID was required, 99.6% of electors were able to cast their votes without a problem.”

The Tory 2019 manifesto committed to introducing the requirement to produce identification in order to vote at a polling station.

But Tooting MP Dr Rosena Khan said the new rules could “damage” democracy. In a tweet on Tuesday, she said:

“Not everyone has a driving licence or passport. These can be costly and/or not easily accessible.

“The Government are not trying to uphold democracy, they are trying to damage it.

“Voting is not only for the privileged. These vote suppression tactics will not go unchallenged.”

The MP pointed towards figures received from Wandsworth Council which appear to show no cases of election fraud.

 “From 1,596,122 votes cast in the last decade - across 14 elections in Wandsworth - there was not a single confirmed case of voter fraud,” she added.

Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova warned that people without ID would be disenfranchised as a result of the move, especially those in marginalised groups.

“76% white people compared to 59% Black, Asian and ethnic minorities have a drivers license.

“60% of disabled people have a license compared to 78% of non-disabled people. Many cannot afford a license (£43) or passport (£85).

“VoterID is discriminatory. UK Labour will oppose it.”

According to shadow democracy minister Cat Smith 3.5 million voters did not have photographic ID.

“The chances are we all know someone without photo ID, maybe it’s your Nan, your son, your mate from the football? Don’t have a driving licence, don’t travel abroad?”

She added: “This policy will put up obstacles for poorer voters. It wants in the bin.”

Under the Government’s plans, rules will be tightened on absent voting and voter intimidation as the Government aims to “stamp out” fraud.

Measures set to be announced next week will include a ban on postal vote harvesting by limiting the number of votes a person can hand in at a polling station on behalf of others.

Voter intimidation is also expected to be listed as a form of undue influence in law, in order to prevent people from being coerced into giving up control over their vote.