Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tom Rutland has strongly condemned proposals from Reform UK to restrict postal voting, calling the plan “bonkers” and warning it would disenfranchise millions of ordinary working people and holidaymakers across the country.
The criticism follows statements from Reform UK MP Danny Kruger, who suggested that postal voting should be banned for people who are away on holiday on polling day, claiming that voters who travel abroad during an election effectively “disenfranchise themselves.” Callum Anderson MP has already branded the same proposal another “absolutely mad policy.”
Championing voter participation
Drawing on his local campaigning experience, Rutland called the proposal out of touch with the everyday lives of voters who rely on postal ballots because of work commitments, pre-booked holidays, or unexpected emergencies.
Writing on X, Rutland said:
“Bonkers.
“This would disenfranchise so many — those who happen to be on holiday, or away with work, or unexpectedly have an emergency on polling day.
“Anyone who has knocked doors for elections knows all of these happen & how many people wish they had a PV when they do!”
Protecting modern voting rights
Rutland’s intervention underlines Labour’s commitment to keeping democratic participation flexible, secure and accessible. Postal voting has long provided a vital option for working families, shift workers and older constituents who might otherwise be unable to cast their vote in person.
Labour figures contrasted that support for turnout with opposition proposals that create unnecessary hurdles for ordinary voters, reiterating that government policy remains focused on strengthening electoral access across every community.
