Boris Johnson thanks villagers who turned him away from polling station after forgetting to bring his ID

4 May 2024, 10:31 | Updated: 4 May 2024, 10:55

Boris Johnson was initially turned away from his polling place after forgetting to bring a valid ID - despite the rule being introduced by him when he was Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson was initially turned away from his polling place after forgetting to bring a valid ID - despite the rule being introduced by him when he was Prime Minister. Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

Boris Johnson has thanked three villagers for turning him away from a polling station on Thursday after the former prime minister attempted to vote without a valid ID.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mr Johnson said he tried to use a copy of Prospect magazine as identification but was turned away by the local electorate officials.

It was during his time in Downing Street that Mr Johnson made it a requirement to provide photo ID in order to vote, as part of the Elections Act 2022.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Mr Johnson said: “I want to pay a particular tribute to the three villagers who on Thursday rightly turned me away when I appeared in the polling station with nothing to prove my identity except the sleeve of my copy of Prospect magazine, on which my name and address had been printed.

“I showed it to them and they looked very dubious… within minutes I was back with my driving licence and voted Tory.”

Read more: Boris Johnson forgets ID when arriving at polling station to vote - despite introducing the rule himself

Read more: Boris Johnson breached government rules by being ‘evasive’ about links to hedge fund

Mr Johnson's decision that voters have to present ID caused controversy over fears it would act as a barrier to voting, particularly among disadvantaged groups.

Britain's voters headed to the polls on Thursday as a nationwide series of local elections got underway, accompanied by a parliamentary by-election.

Over 2,600 council seats across 107 local authorities in England were up for grabs and with nearly all results declared, the Conservatives have lost almost 450 councillors.

The results of 10 high-profile mayoral races in major cities and regional authorities, including London and the West Midlands, are expected to be announced on Saturday while the capital is also due to learn who has been elected to the London Assembly.

Separately, 37 police and crime commissioner roles were decided upon across England and Wales through Thursday's balloting.

Mr Johnson was looking to vote in South Oxfordshire, where a police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley was being elected.

The Blackpool South by-election garnered particular attention, with Labour taking the constituency from the Conservatives after Chris Webb secured a 26.3% swing, wiping out the Tories' 2019 general election majority of 3,690.

The by-election was triggered following the resignation of former Conservative Scott Benton.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Germany's

NATO at risk of Russia attack in next four years, warns German defence chief

Boulder, Colorado, USA. 1st June, 2025. Police investigate the scene of an 'act of terror' in and talk with witnesses on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (Credit Image: © Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire)

'Targeted terror attack' in Colorado as petrol bombs reportedly thrown at pro-Israel group, several injured

One young user of single-use vapes told me the ban doesn't "change anything".

'It doesn't change anything', say vape users as disposable vape ban comes into force to deter use among young people

Emergency services near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a incident has taken place. Picture date: Sunday June 1, 2025.

Gunman opens fire at shopping centre in Ireland as man dies from 'self-inflicted' injuries and child injured

London, England. 24th May 2025. Pixie Lott wears a tshirt gifted by a fan as she presents new single 'Somebody's daughter' to the Foodie Festival audience. Cristina Massei/Alamy Live News

Pixie Lott reveals she's pregnant with second child on stage at festival

The Ukrainian leader celebrated the attack in Russia.

'Brilliant result': Zelenskyy celebrates Ukraine's attack on 40 'enemy bombers' in Russia that caused '$7bn' damage

The Royal Terrace Pier Gravesend Kent UK

Man describes rescuing 'screaming' boy from Thames after body recovered in search for missing girl

Yates on the podium, wearing the pink jersey of the race overall leader, celebrates after winning the 21th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025. Sport - cycling. (Photo by Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse) Credit: LaPresse/Alamy Live News

Britain's Simon Yates wins first Giro d'Italia title in Rome

IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin features in a video posted to X, captioned: "I visited the area of one of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution centers to set the record straight."

IDF denies responsibility after reports of 31 dead in Israeli attack near aid site

Climate activist Greta Thunberg with other activists from a human rights organization meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025, ahead of their departure for the Mideast.

'We have to keep trying': Greta Thunberg sets sail on journey to bring aid relief to Gaza as activist is joined by 11 others

Wiltshire Police confirmed nine people had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

Boat on River Thames 'explodes' with nine people injured 'including baby' and transferred to hospital after blaze

British surgeon Dr. Victoria Rose describes the catastrophic scene at Nasser Medical Complex

'Absolute carnage': British doctor describes horror in Gaza hospital after Israel 'opens fire' on aid centre

Sam was driving on the A34 near Manchester on Monday when his car suddenly left the road.

Race Across the World contestant Sam Gardiner, 24, dies in car crash as family pay tribute to his 'joy and energy'

Russia's Ministry of Defence acknowledged the strikes on airfields across five regions earlier today.

Ukraine targets more than 40 'enemy bombers' deep inside Russia with drones 'hidden' in special containers, source says

Firefighters with breathing apparatus and a ladder truck work at the Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg's Hohenfelde district of Hamburg.

Three dead, more than thirty-five injured in fire in geriatric ward of German hospital

An investigation has found trending mental health TikTok videos are spreading misinformation about mental health

'Feeling anxious? Eat an orange in the shower': Over half of top 100 Tik Tok mental health advice videos contain misinformation