What the bill would change

The representation of the people bill, first introduced under former prime minister Keir Starmer, would let voters show bank cards without photographs as proof of identity at polling stations, easing restrictions brought in by the Conservatives in 2022. It would also lower the voting age to 16 and tighten restrictions on political donations.

• •Voters could use photo-less bank cards as ID at polling stations
• •The voting age would fall to 16
• •Rules on political donations would be tightened

Labour opposed compulsory photo ID but Starmer's government stopped short of abolishing the requirement once in office, proposing instead to widen the forms of ID accepted. The funding rules are part of efforts to guard against foreign interference; the Guardian revealed planned donation restrictions could retrospectively affect the £72m given to Reform UK by the crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.

Why the photo ID rules are contested

The proposals followed concerns that voter ID rules disproportionately affect young people, those on lower incomes and minority ethnic communities. After the last general election, Guardian polling found 6.5% of minority ethnic voters surveyed had been turned away from a polling station at least once, compared with 2.5% of white voters.

The Electoral Commission estimated about 16,000 people who attempted to vote in person could not do so because they lacked the required ID and did not return. Its research also found about 4% of people who did not vote at the 2024 general election said the photo ID requirement had been a factor.

Burnham's past criticism and the watchdog's warning

Burnham was among seven Labour mayors who criticised the restrictions in 2024, comparing them to US Republican voter suppression tactics and calling them a "brazen assault on our democracy". The Electoral Commission has separately warned that accepting bank cards would make it harder for polling station staff to verify voters' identities.

Election timing and the scrutiny row

The reports came days after Labour beat Green leader Zack Polanski in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection and after Burnham's win in Makerfield. Those results fuelled discussion inside the party about whether Burnham should call an early general election; the prime minister does not need to call one before 2029 and has repeatedly ruled out an early poll.

Per the Sunday Telegraph, the government wants to cut Lords scrutiny of the bill from an anticipated 10 days to fewer than five, despite further substantial amendments planned. Ministers reportedly want to at least halve the time available for peers to examine the legislation.

Tory peers have accused ministers of rushing the changes, and the Liberal Democrat peer Mark Pack warned about the risks of introducing significant amendments without sufficient scrutiny. Labour MPs and trade unions want tougher safeguards against foreign donations, with some urging limits on the amounts wealthy individuals can give.

A government spokesperson said the bill was going through the proper parliamentary process, giving MPs and peers the time and opportunity to consider it, and that the reforms would strengthen democracy and keep the electoral system secure, fair and accessible. "The PM has ruled out an early election," the spokesperson added.