Tory MP forced to seek help with vote after losing photo ID required to cast ... trends now
A Tory MP has been forced to seek an emergency proxy vote for the local elections after misplacing photo ID required to cast his ballot under rules the Conservative government introduced.
Ipswich's Tom Hunt confirmed he had been forced to act and blamed his dyspraxia, a condition that affects sufferers' organisational skills.
Mr Hunt, 35, warned people 'persecuting' him online to be 'very careful with their words', saying it is 'well known that sadly we are slightly more prone to lose things'.
Voters are required to present certain forms of ID to vote in todays local, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner polls under the Elections Act 2022.
Acceptable forms of ID listed in the Act include a passport, driving licence, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (Pass) cards, Blue Badges, and some concessionary travel cards.
Ipswich's Tom Hunt confirmed he had been forced to act and blamed his dyspraxia, a condition that affects sufferers' organisational skills.
Voters are required to present certain forms of ID to vote in todays local, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner polls under the Elections Act 2022.
Mr Hunt has previously spoken about his condition, saying it left him unable to tie shoelaces until he was 14, or a tie until he went to university.
Speaking today he said: 'I don't want to blame everything on my dyspraxia, but it's a factor in my life I have to deal with.
'It's all well and good people saying we need to have more neurodiverse Members of Parliament, but having a massive pile-on on them, I don't think it's going to encourage more people.'
People whose ID has been lost, stolen or damaged can apply for an emergency proxy vote until 5pm on polling day, allowing someone else to vote on their behalf.
Mr Hunt said he had not previously been aware of this
