Uncategorized

Why advancing electoral integrity is so difficult in Britain

Pippa Norris and colleagues at the Electoral Integrity Project have just published a new book on Advancing Electoral Integrity.  The book is formed from a workshop at Harvard University last year.  I have a chapter in the book that aims to do a number of things: Claims that electoral management is an often overlooked way…Read more Why advancing electoral integrity is so difficult in Britain

My evidence to Parliament’s Voter Engagement enquiry

I gave oral evidence to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee's inquiry into Voter Engagement yesterday.  The Committee is concerned about levels of voter registration and turnout in the UK.  The inquiry is timely because voter engagement is a pressing problem for British elections and democracy. One in five people are now missing from the electoral register…Read more My evidence to Parliament’s Voter Engagement enquiry

Election-day registration in Britain: an idea whose time has come?

Earlier in the month the Labour Party suggested that we should consider election-day registration in the UK.  This is something that I have thought would make a good evidence based policy.  This week I have published my thoughts on Eastminster and the Democratic Audit this proposal.You can also view my evidence to the parliamentary select…Read more Election-day registration in Britain: an idea whose time has come?

Prisoners to vote in the UK?

Prisoners to vote in the UK? A cross-party Committee (to be be precise, The Joint Committee on the Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill), has just published its report on prisoner voting.  It recommends that: 'the Government introduce a Bill at the start of the 2014–15 session, which should provide that all prisoners serving sentences of 12 months or less should…Read more Prisoners to vote in the UK?

A new blog that I am editing….

The University of East Anglia has recently launched a new politics blog called Eastminster.....and I am editing it. During the last week we have had posts from my excellent colleagues on issues as diverse as Nelson Mandela, e-voting in the UK, interest in politics under the Coalition government and the effects of anti-terrorism legislation. If…Read more A new blog that I am editing….

John Bercow to consider the case for internet voting in the UK. Is it a good idea?

E-voting is back on the political agenda in the UK.  The Guardian is reporting that: 'The Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is establishing a rare independent commission on digital democracy, including the prospect of introducing electronic voting at elections.' You might be surprised to know that internet voting has been used in the UK before.  Between…Read more John Bercow to consider the case for internet voting in the UK. Is it a good idea?

UEA to host political leadership and statecraft workshop

International financial austerity has had dramatic consequences for political leaders around the world, in and out of office. For many it has undermined their political capital as they campaign for (re)election with public deficits and stagnant economies. The University of East Anglia is hosting the annual PSA Workshop on Political Leadership on 17 January 2014…Read more UEA to host political leadership and statecraft workshop