Turnout at next month's local elections risks being reduced by the introduction of mandatory voter ID, an ex-Tory Cabinet minister has warned.
David Davis said the controversial multi-million pound policy risks having a "more deleterious effect" on voting than the issue the new law is attempting to solve.
The senior Tory MP told The Mirror he would like to see ministers delay the policy and re-think, but admitted the Government was unlikely to do so at this "late stage".
It comes as voters across England will be forced to show a form of photo ID - for the first time - when they head to the ballot box in May .
But campaigners have repeatedly warned many risk being excluded on election day if they fail to present the correct documents at polling stations.
They have also highlighted the low take-up of the Government's free Voter Authority Certificate, with just over 40,000 people applying in England.
The ex-Brexit Secretary Mr Davis said: "I opposed it [Voter ID] when it was proposed. It seems to me it is trying to solve a problem that's not really there".
Last week The Mirror revealed that police had issued just one caution for electoral fraud in 2022 - despite the multi-million pound cost of the new voter ID law.
Surveys also show 27% of voters are not aware of the new rule, prompting fears that tens of thousands could be blocked from casting their ballots.
Pressed on whether he believed it will impact turnout at the local elections next month, Mr Davis replied: "The only direction it can move it in is down.
"If people turn up and they either haven't got an ID with them or they don't own an ID at all - in both circumstances it will reduce the likelihood of them voting."
He added: "It will undoubtedly reduce the turnout. Whether it's by a fraction of a per cent or more than that is impossible to tell at this point in time."
Labour's Deputy leader Angela Rayner has warned ministers are "failing in their duties" to make the public aware of the new "unnecessary" policy.
To help ensure everyone’s voice is heard, the Daily Mirror last week launched our Get ID, Get a Vote campaign to raise awareness and encourage more people to register to vote.
Individuals without any form of acceptable photo ID have until 25 April to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate in order to vote in the local elections.
Voters in Scotland and Wales will be required to show photo ID at the next general election if it is held after October 2023 while the policy already exists in Northern Ireland.
A Government spokesperson said: “We cannot be complacent when it comes to ensuring our democracy remains secure. Photo identification has been used in Northern Ireland elections since 2003.
“The vast majority of people already have a form of acceptable identification. We’re urging anyone who doesn’t to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate as soon as possible and we expect more people to apply over the next few weeks.
“We’re working closely with the sector to support the rollout and are funding the necessary equipment and staffing for the change in requirements.”
