Elections
Elections at 'risk of failure'
A deluge of reforms to elections is putting the system at risk of failure, officials have warned.
Democracy needs to have value
Many of those who are elected to public office seem to be increasingly remote from the people they serve, says Paul Shevlin. 'If democracy is to have any value, members of the public need to feel that their vote is worthwhile.'
A mismatch between motive and facts on voter ID
‘Partygate’ and rule breaking may be a major distraction from electoral proposals that may disenfranchise many voters, according to Stephen Weigel.
Rebooting council electoral services in Bracknell
Ann Moore outlines why Bracknell Forest Council took the decision to invest in a technological end-to-end electoral management solution.
MPs call for voter ID plans to be halted
The Government's voter ID plans should be paused to determine if the measures are 'fit-for-purpose,' MPs have warned.
Selling Stoke’s narrative
Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Cllr Abi Brown, talks to Heather Jameson about her journey to the top and what she has learned about winning red wall seats.
Firms warn of elections timetable danger
Firms in the supply chain for elections have told ministers not to shorten the timeframe for holding polls.
Elections are a family affair
Andrew Seekings looks at how Cumbria is preparing for the electoral challenges of local government reorganisation as it plans for next year’s elections to the shadow authorities and beyond.
It’s now or never for modern democracy
The electoral landscape is now ‘more crowded than ever’, while council resources have been ground down, says Laura Lock – and she warns that professionals do not have limitless capacity.
Scotland follows Wales in opposing controversial Elections Bill
The Scottish Government has paved the way for Scotland to follow Wales in refusing to recommend consent for the UK Elections Bill.
Labour under pressure to commit to voting reform
The party is set to debate adopting Proportional Representation (PR) for General Elections at its annual conference.
Welsh Government to block voter ID bill
The Welsh Government has taken the rare step of refusing to recommend consent for the UK Elections Bill.
New polls timetable would cause ‘catastrophic failure’
Officers have said holding General Elections would be ‘impossible’ under proposals to shorten the time allowed for preparations.
Voter ID law must be 'necessary and proportionate,' MPs warn
The Government must explain why a new law to make voter ID mandatory is both necessary and proportionate, MPs and peers have said today.
White van man on... voting
It’s damn obvious to me that the Government doesn’t want us to vote. I mean, it’s not exactly a lovely experience trekking down to some draughty church hall to be met by a frosty jobsworth who runs a ruler over a list of names like you’re turning up for the first day at school.
It will be hard for many to see the value of spending millions on introducing voter ID
The Government wants to introduce a requirement for photo ID. This will be even more difficult to ‘sell’ to the public than mixed-ID for voters and will need even more resources, says Paul Shevlin.
Welsh government proposes placing polling stations in colleges
People in Wales may soon be able to vote for their local representatives as they go about their weekly shop or finish their lessons.
Photo ID for elections will be even more difficult to 'sell' to the public
The Government now wants to introduce a requirement for photo ID for elections. Paul Shevlin says this will be even more difficult to ‘sell’ to the public than mixed-ID and will need even more resources.
Voter ID 'colossal waste of money,' says Labour
Proposals to introduce voter ID are a ‘colossal waste of money,’ Labour has argued.
‘Sweeping reform’ of elections required
Election officers have warned of an electoral system that is in 'danger of failing’.
