New report: Getting the missing millions back on the electoral register

The number of people on the UK electoral register has been in long-term decline.  It was estimated that up to 7.5 million people were not registered in 2014.   At the end of the transition to individual electoral registration, there are another 1.4 million fewer names on the register. Dramatically, the number of attainers, our…Read more New report: Getting the missing millions back on the electoral register

Automatic re-registration in Britain?

We should have a system of automatic electoral registration in Britain to combat the crisis of millions of people missing off the electoral roll.  That was one of our core messages last week when we sent a report on elections in Britain to the government. Most polling stations turned away would be voters at the…Read more Automatic re-registration in Britain?

The electoral register is the problem, not electoral fraud

Electoral fraud isn't the biggest problem at British polling stations..... it’s the electoral register Last week Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, claimed that electoral fraud is a 'growing phenomena' in British elections.  It is a problem, he suggested, that was predominantly 'where there are high levels of inhabitants from a community in which there is a tradition…Read more The electoral register is the problem, not electoral fraud

How to improve electoral management

International IDEA and the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network have just published my case study on how to improve electoral management. The article from my research on the use of performance standards in the UK.  It suggests that many electoral practitioners worldwide should consider using a similar scheme to improve the conduct of elections Both established and emerging…Read more How to improve electoral management

Toby James speaking at the British Leaders Launch

British Leaders Book Series launched at the House of Commons

Last week we launched a book series on British party leaders at the House of Commons, published with Biteback. John Bercow kindly hosted the event in his State Office.  The three books, of which I co-edit two, all focus on the issue of how to assess party leaders.  Jim Buller and I provide a chapter…Read more British Leaders Book Series launched at the House of Commons

A new trilogy of books on British political leaders out in September

This summer will be busy for politics in the UK as both the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats are elected new leaders of their parties. It is therefore perfect timing for a trilogy of books on British political leaders.  I've co-edited two of these on British Labour Leaders (with Charles Clarke) and British Conservative Leaders (with Charles Clarke,…Read more A new trilogy of books on British political leaders out in September