Letter to the Editor:- "The UK now has a more restrictive ID regime than many US states"

"I'M very concerned that the new voter ID rules will make it harder to vote. With these new laws, Sefton now has a more restrictive voting regime than much of the US! According to the Electoral Reform Society, in many American states, voters who don't look much like their old photos anymore, or forget their ID, can cast a vote anyway and go back a few days later to have it confirmed. But there isn't going to be any right of appeal in the upcoming elections. If you don't have recognisable ID, that's your vote gone! We all need to make sure our IDs are up to scratch, so everyone check your ID cards and if you are 1 of the over 2 million people who lack ID, get some ASAP. Personally, I think the whole thing is a waste of time and money and should be scrapped!" Yours sincerely, Joseph Walsh, Seaforth.

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Letter to the Editor:- "1 innocent voter turned away is 1 too many!"

"WITH elections coming up in Sefton it's vital we all spread the news that the Government have changed the rules for how we vote. From May you must show photo ID at the polling Station to cast your vote, so make sure you're not caught out. The Electoral Reform Society reported that over 2 million people in the UK lack the types of ID the Government are demanding. Voter ID risks the very principle of free and fair elections. 1 voter being turned away is 1 too many. If I turned up to vote and someone had used my ballot I'd certainly complain, but there were only 33 allegations of fraud out of over 58 million votes cast in 2019 (the last time we all had a vote). Almost certainly more voters will be turned away than ever lost their vote to this incredibly rare crime. It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; destroying your kitchen table in the process." Mark Leedham, Litherland..

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Letter to the Editor:- "The Government is botching rollout of voter ID"

"THIS May, voters in Sefton will have to bring photo ID to vote at polling Stations. Many people don't seem to know about the changes as they have been so rushed. Last year, the Conservative Chair of the Local Government Association, Cllr James Jamieson, the Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, Peter Stanyon, and the Electoral Commission have all criticised the Government's rushed implementation of these changes; warning the rushed rollout could cause issues on election day and even undermine the public's faith in our elections. The Electoral Reform Society have been calling for the scheme to be cancelled before it can do any more harm, and I agree with them. If the Government insist on rolling out their plans in the face of all these warnings I can only tell people to make sure they have the right sorts of ID and to tell their friends!" Sally Moss, Crosby.

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Greene King pubs across the North West raised an amazing �353,611 for Macmillan Cancer Support

THE brilliant fundraising efforts by pub teams and the generous support of customers means that the money raised can be used to support the 96 Macmillan professionals currently funded by the charity across the Region such as:- specialist dietitians, therapists and the iconic Macmillan Murse.

Greene King, the UK's leading pub company and brewer, has now raised a staggering �14million for Macmillan over its 10 year charity partnership. The 10th year marked a record breaking �3million annual total for the charity. This equates to �342 raised every hour in 2022, which is enough to fund a Macmillan Nurse for a whole day.

There was an outstanding effort from kind hearted regulars and team members at Greene King's Coppice Wood Farm in Urmston, Manchester where a phenomenal �12,603 was raised over the past year.

There was a busy calendar of fundraising events at the Mercury Way pub involving team members and customers. Highlights included a sponsored hike, supporting the local music festival, raffles and sales, and so much more.

Peter McNamee, general manager of popular Coppice Wood Farm, said:- "We are just so proud of everyone's efforts here at the pub. My mother was a Macmillan nurse and it really is a charity close to our heart and so many people's. We were determined to pull out all the stops and set our targets high. And we did it! A winner for us is the daily Tombola table, it's loved by all ages and just keeps on giving as well adding to our fundraising total on a rolling basis. Our thanks go out to everyone who works here and all our customers. What a year it has been. We've had fun in our fundraising and it's been great to do our bit. Look out for more this year!"

Alison Ramsay, senior social impact manager at Greene King, said:- "This is proof that charity really is at the heart of all our pubs. What better way is there to celebrate our 10 year partnership with Macmillan than by having a record breaking 12 months of fundraising. Our teams and customers are simply brilliant to have raised over �3million in 2022. Sadly, we all know someone living with cancer but we know every single pound raised in our pubs helps."

Macmillan Fundraising Manager Sarah Peet said:- "What a magnificent effort! A big thank you to Greene King and all your pub customers. This money goes directly to supporting people affected by cancer. Our partnership goes from strength to strength and every year we are so grateful for the millions of pounds raised. Every penny helps someone living with cancer and helps us fund our local Macmillan services. Across Greater Manchester approximately 15,000 people a year are newly diagnosed with cancer. Macmillan is helping to support the 85,000 people living with cancer in the City Region through our Macmillan Information and Support Service Centres, Macmillan nurses, Welfare Benefits Advisers, Macmillan Grants and through our Macmillan Support line and online communities. None of this would be possible without the funds raised by our generous supporters like Greene King and their customers."