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Fri, 31 March 2023

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Articles tagged with: Democracy & Elections
Elections Watchdog Warns Voter ID Plans Risk Undermining Confidence In Democracy
Social affairs
Elections Watchdog Warns Voter ID Plans Risk Undermining Confidence In Democracy
The Electoral Commission is warning that the shortened timeframe to raise awareness of the government’s controversial voter ID plans before people next go to the polls risks undermining confidence in British democracy.
Our Parliament is something to be proud of
Parliament
By Lord McFall
Our Parliament is something to be proud of
The politicians here in Westminster can argue about almost anything, at the drop of a hat. But we agree on this: our Parliament is something to be proud of.
Lula’s victory in Brazil is a win for tackling the climate crisis
Environment
By Fabian Hamilton MP
Lula’s victory in Brazil is a win for tackling the climate crisis
Following the election victories for progressives in Colombia and Chile earlier this year, the fresh hope generated has travelled across Latin America.
New Tory Leader Must 'Get Hold Of The Reins' Of Public Trust in Elections Rules, Watchdog’s Former Chief Warns
Communities
New Tory Leader Must "Get Hold Of The Reins" Of Public Trust in Elections Rules, Watchdog’s Former Chief Warns
The former chief executive of the Electoral Commission has warned the incoming Prime Minister they need to work hard to show they aren’t removing the watchdog’s independence after Boris Johnson’s government passed a controversial piece of legislation.
Keeping it local: are home-grown MPs best?
Political parties
By Professor Philip Cowley
Keeping it local: are home-grown MPs best?
As recent by-elections have shown, constituency parties – and voters – prize a local candidate. Professor Philip Cowley examines whether a home-grown MP is always best
Dozens More 'Red Wall' Labour Seats Could Go Conservative, New Analysis Predicts
Political parties
Dozens More 'Red Wall' Labour Seats Could Go Conservative, New Analysis Predicts
As many as 36 additional 'red wall' Labour seats could fall to the Tories if overall vote share is consistent with the last election, according to a new analysis from the Onward think tank.
Elections should be confirmed by a simple Commons majority – anything else would be contrary to the view of Parliament
Political parties
By Lord Lansley
Elections should be confirmed by a simple Commons majority – anything else would be contrary to the view of Parliament
Where does power lie? That was the question at the heart of debate in the Lords on the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill. The issue: should the decision to seek a general election be in the hands of the executive, in the person of the Prime Minister, or should it be subject to the will of the Commons as expressed in a simple majority resolution?
Tories Have Poured Cold Water On Early Election Rumours After Labour Ramped Up The Prospect
Political parties
Tories Have Poured Cold Water On Early Election Rumours After Labour Ramped Up The Prospect
Talk of an early general election arose repeatedly at this year's party conferences, but Conservative MPs and activists have dismissed the prospect, after Labour seemed to be gearing up to go to the polls sooner rather than later.
Government Warned Changing Voting Systems Without Scrutiny Sets A “Dangerous Precedent”
Home affairs
Government Warned Changing Voting Systems Without Scrutiny Sets A “Dangerous Precedent”
Exclusive: Multiple campaign groups have fiercely criticised the government for including a major change to the voting system in an amendment to the Elections Bill, warning that the changes are being “rushed through without consultation”.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is a vital forum for countries to work together to uphold democracy and human rights
Brexit
By John Howell MP
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is a vital forum for countries to work together to uphold democracy and human rights
I look forward to working with colleagues across both Houses to further deepen understanding of PACE and to ensure the UK continues to play its part in this vital intergovernmental organisation.
Mandatory voter ID could see millions facing new barriers to vote in elections
Political parties
By Dr Jess Garland
Mandatory voter ID could see millions facing new barriers to vote in elections
While extending the franchise for our elections is a positive move, the Elections Bill fails to offer any proposals to address the missing millions from our electoral roll.
Elections Expert Lord Hayward Says Boundary Review Is A 'Relief' For Tories
Home affairs
Elections Expert Lord Hayward Says Boundary Review Is A "Relief" For Tories
Boris Johnson’s Tories will be “breathing a sigh of relief” after the proposals for new MP seat boundaries were revealed, according to Tory peer and elections expert Lord Hayward.
Splitting headache: Wales must guard against nationalist rhetoric
Communities
By Robin Millar MP
Splitting headache: Wales must guard against nationalist rhetoric
Constitutional wrangling is far from the top of voters’ priority lists, but the future of the union is under threat. With renewed calls for Scottish independence ringing in our ears, Wales must be alive to the danger of a nationalism taking root that seeks out differences to underpin division
Mandatory voter photo ID is an illiberal and discriminatory solution to a problem that doesn’t exist
Home affairs
By Baroness Chakrabarti
Mandatory voter photo ID is an illiberal and discriminatory solution to a problem that doesn’t exist
As opposition strives to unite around a vision of a post-pandemic future, a government so adept at divide and rule would be wise not to unite us in resistance to these measures.
SNP Secure Fourth Scottish Parliament Victory But Fall One Just Short Of Overall Majority
Political parties
SNP Secure Fourth Scottish Parliament Victory But Fall One Just Short Of Overall Majority
The SNP have fallen just one seat short of an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament elections.
Crowning glory: monarch, politics and Parliament in an age of democracy
Social affairs
By Andrew Gimson
Crowning glory: monarch, politics and Parliament in an age of democracy
“The more democratic we get,” Walter Bagehot predicted in 1867, “the more we shall get to like state and show, which have ever pleased the vulgar.” The outpouring of tributes triggered by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh indicates that Bagehot was right.
Local Liberal Democrats Are Leafleting For May Elections Despite Campaign Pause After Prince Philip's Death
Political parties
Local Liberal Democrats Are Leafleting For May Elections Despite Campaign Pause After Prince Philip's Death
The Liberal Democrats have claimed their pledge to suspend their "national" campaign does not apply to local activists delivering leaflets.
Political Parties Suspend Campaigning For May Elections After Prince Philip's Death
Political parties
Political Parties Suspend Campaigning For May Elections After Prince Philip's Death
Major political parties have suspended campaigning ahead of next month's elections following the death of Prince Philip.
'Emergency Proxy' Rules Announced To Allow People Self-Isolating To Vote In Local Elections
Coronavirus
'Emergency Proxy' Rules Announced To Allow People Self-Isolating To Vote In Local Elections
The government is set to implement new emergency rules to allow people self-isolating to secure a last minute proxy vote for May's council and mayoral elections.
Action must be taken to ensure the integrity of our electoral process in the digital age
Culture
By Stephen Kinnock MP and Damian Collins MP
Action must be taken to ensure the integrity of our electoral process in the digital age
We face new threats every day from the digital world, disinformation and fake news to dark ads and financial loopholes. As the Electoral Commission turns 20, we must make sure it’s fit to face the challenges of the future.
Faith in our democratic processes was lost long ago – it’s time we establish a People’s Constitutional Convention
Political parties
By Baroness Bennett
Faith in our democratic processes was lost long ago – it’s time we establish a People’s Constitutional Convention
Deciding what the future of our democracy looks like should be a concern for us all, not something condemned to an inquiry carried out by a committee almost nobody has heard of.
John Stapleton: 'I Could Have Been The First Man In The History Of Broadcasting To Declare The Wrong President Of The United States'
Political parties
By John Stapleton
John Stapleton: "I Could Have Been The First Man In The History Of Broadcasting To Declare The Wrong President Of The United States"
Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton covered five US elections between 1980 to 2012. He tells The House about how he was spectacularly saved from announcing the wrong election result in Bush vs Gore, and how American enthusiasm for elections puts the Brits to shame
Dominic Raab Has Refused To Comment On Trump's Baseless Voter Fraud Claims
Foreign affairs
Dominic Raab Has Refused To Comment On Trump's Baseless Voter Fraud Claims
Dominic Raab said that all votes in elections should be counted "in principle" but refused to get drawn on Donald Trump's claims of voter fraud.
My fellow Peers assumed I was the wine waiter
Social affairs
By Lord Taylor of Warwick
My fellow Peers assumed I was the wine waiter
Only 6.1% of Peers are non-white ethnic minority. Diversity and inclusion must improve in Westminster and the wider world