Our democracy faces many threats – but the government has picked the wrong priority It’s not just campaigners saying it any more: democracy is officially at risk, according to parliament’s digital, culture, media and sport committee. Britain’s main campaign rules were drawn up in the late 1990s, before social... Posted 02 Aug 2018
What were these ‘so-called’ trials of voter ID supposed to prove? One of the great mysteries of the voter ID trials in May’s English local elections was what exactly the trials were meant to be testing. Out of 44.4 million votes cast in 2017, there were... Posted 19 Jul 2018
Why are Ministers celebrating citizens losing their right to vote? In a comment piece for The Times this week, Chloe Smith, Minister for the Constitution, made some bold claims about the government’s voter ID trials, which took place in five areas last month. She said the... Posted 08 Jun 2018
Voters want to tackle Britain’s real democratic problems – not impose voter ID Despite the fact that last month’s Voter ID trials disenfranchised (at least) hundreds of people, the government seems to be set on making it national policy. Why? Ostensibly, the government says it is about tackling... Posted 06 Jun 2018
If you didn’t already think the voter ID trial was a mess, you will after reading this The government’s rationale for its ill-considered Voter ID pilots was to tackle “electoral fraud” – a criminal offence of which allegations are rightly investigated by the police. So it doesn’t look good for the government... Posted 08 May 2018
Revealed: How mandatory voter ID risks locking out legitimate voters Representative democracies rely on people being able to participate in free and fair elections. That is why each time an election comes around the Electoral Reform Society and likeminded campaigners encourage as many people as... Posted 30 Apr 2018
Why Voter ID is a solution seeking a problem The government will be trialling making ID mandatory at polling stations this May. Voters in Bromley, Woking and Gosport will have to show officials their papers before being permitted to exercise their right to vote.... Posted 19 Mar 2018
Why the government’s mandatory voter ID plans are a terrible idea The Electoral Commission has launched a new campaign against electoral fraud – a laudable effort to limit this type of crime. But it also brings under the spotlight the upcoming trials of mandatory voter ID... Posted 06 Mar 2018
Wales tears down barriers to democracy as England fortifies them Last week Wales has shown just what devolution can do: allow new ways of doing democracy. On Tuesday the Welsh government launched a consultation that has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes... Posted 27 Jul 2017
Compulsory voter ID would only add to Britain’s democratic deficit In true festive spirit, the government chose December 27 to respond to former local government minister Eric Pickles’ proposals to tackle alleged voter fraud in UK elections. Sadly, the response isn’t much of a belated Christmas present... Posted 04 Jan 2017