‘Don’t let the Tories take your vote away’

CIVIL RIGHTS leader Rev Al Sharpton urged Britain’s Black community to fight the Conservatives ‘voter suppression’ plan.

Speaking to The Voice on a UK visit to launch a new voter registration drive, Rev Sharpton compared the voter ID policy to US-style restrictions making it harder to cast a ballot.

Campaigners warn the policy will disenfranchise two million Brits, with a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and young people.

Rev Al Sharpton delivers rallying call to Black Brits over new voter ID policy.

By Lester Holloway

Rishi Sunak’s government has refused to publicise the new ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ for people without valid photo ID to apply to take part in this May’s local elections. As a result, less than two per cent of people at risk of losing their vote have applied.

A lower turnout from sections of the population who are more likely to vote Labour could help keep Sunak safe from a leadership challenge.

Rev Sharpton said: “They’re trying to take away your vote so that you will not have any sayso over your life. They wouldn’t be taking it from you if it wasn’t worth something.

“If a thief breaks into your house they’re only going to steal what’s of value; they’re going to look for jewellery, they’re going to look for money. They’re not going to look for your dirty underwear.

“Why does it matter? If it didn’t matter they wouldn’t be trying to take it from you.”

Ministers claim voter ID is needed to “restore faith” in the democratic process. But critics say confidence in the voting system was never an issue in the first place.

Black voter registration rates and to promote his new biopic, Loudmouth maximised now, because after Brexit Blacks have been left in an even worse position than it was.”

He said: “We have more power than we realise. What with the numbers of Blacks in the UK, you have enough to sway any election if you maximise your numbers.

Last month, analysis by The Voice revealed that almost three quarters (74) of the top 100 seats where the Black community live can be swung by the Black vote.

CALL: Rev Sharpton at the House of Commons (photo: Patrick Lewis)

“So the only reason they want to take away your vote is because it means something. So the only question is are you gonna give it to them and surrender? Or are you going to fight to protect what’s valuable to you?

There were only two convictions for voter impersonation following the 2017 and 2019 general elections. Most election offences are committed by politicians and political parties, with campaign overspending the most common offence.

Rev Sharpton made his latest visit to the UK, as a guest of ex-Operation Black Vote director Lord Simon Woolley, to boost

“It is bad to be treated unequal; it is worse to be treated unequal when you could do more to equalise the situation. By putting pressure on those in power, you could redirect where this is going in terms of public policy, in terms of legislation.

“And I think that what Operation Black Vote and others, and in particular The Voice, [need to do is that our power] must be