During his tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson introduced a law that required voters to provide official documentation for identification. However, on Thursday, during local elections, it was reported that Johnson himself had forgotten this rule and arrived at the polling station without any ID. According to Sky News, polling station staff had to ask the former Prime Minister to leave after he failed to comply with the legislation he had introduced.
Johnson had wanted to cast his vote in South Oxfordshire where he resides with his family. Despite the mishap, his spokesman stated that he was able to eventually cast his vote. The law, which was enacted in 2022, mandates that individuals provide official photo identification such as a passport or driver’s license when voting. Critics argue that this requirement disproportionately affects poorer and older individuals as well as members of minority groups who may be less likely to possess such ID.
Despite the incident, Johnson had encouraged voters in the morning to support the Conservative Party, led by his successor Rishi Sunak. It is unclear how this mishap will affect Johnson’s reputation and legacy as Prime Minister.