Stuart Anderson MP "delighted" as Armed Forces Veteran Cards Now Accepted in Elections
Stuart Anderson MP is “delighted” that the UK’s two million veterans will be able to vote using the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card in future elections. He has welcomed the news, after having tabled a written question calling for the change last month.
In Parliament, Stuart called for Veteran Cards to be accepted as forms of voter identification in elections. The government has confirmed they can now be accepted. It laid a statutory instrument in Parliament to enshrine the change in legislation. It means Veteran Cards now feature on the list of acceptable IDs, in addition to the already accepted Ministry of Defence identification card (the MOD90 card). It brings parity between veterans and serving armed services personnel with regards to the ID they can use in polling stations.
There are 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain. In Stuart’s own constituency of South Shropshire, there are more than 4,000 veterans. This represents almost one in ten households in the local community. Introduced in February 2024, the Veteran Card provides veterans with a clear recognition of service, a tangible link to the Armed Forces, and allows them to easily verify their veteran status - making it quicker to apply for and access support and services from government, charities, and local authorities. 133,387 cards have been issued, with more in production.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“The UK’s two million veterans have given so much to protect our country at home and overseas. The Armed Forces Veteran Card, introduced in February 2024, provides clear recognition of their service. It is right that the Card can be used to vote in elections, strengthening their connection with the very democratic processes which they have made so many sacrifices to upheld. Having raised a question in Parliament calling for this change, I am delighted that this change has now been accepted.”
HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards are available to individuals who served in either the regulars or reserves of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, or Royal Marines. If you served in another UK Armed Forces group, you may still be eligible for a Veteran Card. You can check your eligibility when you apply online (https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card) or when you call to request a postal form.
The government has also published ‘Using a veteran card as a service leaver’ guidance page on its website, detailing how veterans can use the card to access specialist support and services: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-a-veteran-card-as-a-service-leaver.
In announcing the changes, the Ministry of Defence said:
“We recognise that the Veteran Card is a powerful symbol of veterans’ service and its addition to the list is one of the things this Government is doing to honour their contribution. The addition of the Veteran Card supports them engaging in the elections process and in exercising their democratic rights. We would like to thank those who have campaigned to make this change a reality.”
