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
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
Five tests for Jeremy Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn was emphatically elected as the next leader of the Labour Party at the weekend. In a blog in the Huffington Post last week, I suggest that he, as with any Labour Leader, faces five key tests: 'Selecting a replacement for Ed Miliband has turned into an existential moment for the Labour Party, and…Read more Five tests for Jeremy Corbyn
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
Is the UK general election running smoothly
I have posted a blog on Eastminster: Toby James provides updates on some of the problems that voters have experienced casting their ballot at the 2015 UK General Election (the blog will be updated during the day). The general election is underway and the polls are open. It is predicted to be a tightly fought…Read more Is the UK general election running smoothly
International electoral observers at the UK 2015 general election
As scholars such as Susan Hyde have documented, it is now an international norm for national elections to be observed by overseas government officials and international organisations. Even governments that intend to deliberately manipulate the electoral process, counter-intuitively, invite electoral observers to document the quality of election. Election observation was once limited to newer democracies…Read more International electoral observers at the UK 2015 general election
The future of UK electoral administration
I was delighted to be invited to give the Opening Speech at the Association of Electoral Administrators conference in Brighton on Sunday night. The topic of my talk was ‘From here to where? Modernisation of electoral administration in Britain.’ Elections receive widespread coverage in the news and media. Many (normal) people will already be fed…Read more The future of UK electoral administration
(Re) Assessing Gordon Brown as Prime Minister
Gordon Brown announced his decision to stand down as an MP at the next general election this week. His time as Prime Minister has been much criticised but Jim Buller and I have recently published an article in Parliamentary Affairs arguing that we should factor context into our assessment of political leaders. This leads to…Read more (Re) Assessing Gordon Brown as Prime Minister
Improving Turnout: The Voter Engagement Inquiry
Coming back from paternity leave this week, I was pleased find the Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform's report on Voter Engagement in the UK had been published. I was honoured to give to be invited to give oral evidence to the committee earlier in the year. Here are my written submissions of evidence…Read more Improving Turnout: The Voter Engagement Inquiry
UK electoral governance: a critical overview
Last month I spoke at the prestigious Korean Civic Institute for Democracy in Seoul as part of their annual International Symposium on Civic Education. I presented a paper which gave a critical overview of the UK's increasingly complex system of electoral governance. Electoral Governance and the Quality of Democracy in the United Kingdom Comments on the…Read more UK electoral governance: a critical overview
Toby S. James 