Elections


Purdah and local government 18/04/2019 What is purdahh and how can those in local government avoid breaking the rules? Mark Whitehead explains.
Campaigners warn of ‘democracy deserts’ in council elections 18/04/2019 More than 800,000 voters are being denied a real choice in the May local elections, according to new analysis by the Electoral Reform Society.
Council elections: A testing time for party alignments 18/04/2019 Like it or not, the council elections will be dominated by an issue that has nothing to do with local government, says Mark Whitehead.
Concern over councils' ability to cope with polls 17/04/2019 Council chiefs have raised concerns with Government about the sector’s capacity to run EU elections so close on the heels of local polls.
Brexit deadlock reveals need for ‘fairer’ voting system, campaigners say 16/04/2019 Electoral reform campaigners are urging politicians to re-start the conversation about proportional representation ahead of the local elections.
Labour considers automatic voter registration 12/04/2019 The Labour Party is considering adopting automatic voter registration as new policy ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Virtual reality used to help people with learning disabilities vote 09/04/2019 The Northern Ireland branch of Mencap is using virtual reality to support people with learning disabilities to vote in the upcoming local elections.
Whitehall announces preparations for EU elections 02/04/2019 The Government has written to the Electoral Commission confirming that it will help local authorities prepare for possible European elections in May.
Figures show no evidence of 'large-scale electoral fraud' 25/03/2019 Campaigners have warned the case for voter ID is getting ‘weaker by the day’ after new figures show there were only eight allegations of personation fraud last year.
NILGA: Give councils the power to change Northern Ireland 11/02/2019 The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) has called for the role of councils to be formally reviewed and strengthened after the elections in May, giving greater decision making powers to local people and places.
Tower Hamlets first council to trial photographic entry system in by-elections 07/02/2019 Tower Hamlets Council will be the first in the country to use an automated photographic entry system in two of its by-election counts today.
Rural councils should get the chance to influence voter ID rollout 24/01/2019 Voter ID pilots due to take place across 11 councils this year will help provide an insight into the best way to ensure the integrity of the voting process in the future, says Paul Shevlin.
More councils chosen to pilot voter ID scheme 05/11/2018 The 11 local authorities taking part in the 2019 voter ID pilots in England have been announced by the Government.
Wales set to extend franchise to 16 and 17 year olds 10/10/2018 Welsh Assembly looks set to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in what campaigners are calling ‘a vital step towards a fairer franchise’ for Wales.
Council hits back at 'insulting' one party state claims 17/09/2018 Manchester City Council has hit back at a claim by the Liberal Democrats that it is a 'one party state' like North Korea.
Lib Dems attack 'supermajority problem' councils 17/09/2018 The Liberal Democrats have launched an attack on 'supermajority problem councils like Manchester' at their annual conference in Brighton.
Voter ID scheme could cost up to £20m per general election, research finds 11/09/2018 The national rollout of the government’s voter ID plans could cost up to £20m per general election, new analysis has revealed today.
Not enough evidence to prosecute in Tower Hamlets fraud case, Met says 10/09/2018 An investigation into allegations of fraud in Tower Hamlets has concluded that there is not enough evidence to prosecute those involved, although evidence of a ‘serious criminal offence’ has been uncovered.
In defence of voter ID 16/08/2018 The subject of voter ID has divided many people, but Bob Neill calls for those sceptical about reform to catch up with the rest of the modern world.
Postal voting pilots ‘well-run’, electoral commission says 01/08/2018 Pilot schemes for postal and proxy voters carried out during last May’s local elections were ‘well-run’, an electoral body has concluded.
People who abuse election candidates could be banned from public office 30/07/2018 People who abuse and intimidate those standing for election could be stripped of their right to hold public office under new government proposals.
Voter ID in perspective 06/07/2018 Jo Miller, in her role as a returning officer, argues that Voter ID is a very expensive way to tackle a problem that is not a top priority in the UK.
Mandatory ID ‘disenfranchises’ voters, electoral watchdog says 25/05/2018 Electoral watchdogs have rejected a claim that a recent trial requiring voters to show ID was 'a great success'.
Voter turnout 'unaffected' by ID scheme says pilot council 23/05/2018 A trial scheme requiring voters to show ID in the recent local elections has been declared a 'great success' by one of the councils taking part.
The voice of a new generation 10/05/2018 Samar Khalil looks at the debate that has divided many, votes at 16, and outlines why this will be a positive move for the future.
Voters turned away from polling booths due to ID scheme 04/05/2018 Would-be voters were turned away from polling booths for the first time in trials of controversial ID schemes designed to tackle electoral fraud.
Election results: voters ‘unconvinced’ by major parties 04/05/2018 The two main parties were stuck in indecisive lock-step following the first England-wide test of public opinion since last year's general election.
Figure used to justify voter ID trials branded as 'misleading' 03/05/2018 A key piece of evidence used to justify controversial ID schemes in elections has been rejected as misleading by the UK's official statistical service, according to electoral campaigners.
Leader of Labour group at Gloucestershire blasts voter ID trial 03/05/2018 The leader of the Labour group at Gloucestershire County Council has branded the voter ID a ‘calculated effort to disenfranchise millions’.
Local authority elections - publicity and decision making 30/04/2018 Tiffany Cloynes outlines some of the legal and practical issues relating to publicity and decision making that may affect local authorities at a time of elections.
Whitehall defends voter ID reform against accusations of ‘discrimination’ 23/04/2018 The Government has defended its plans to require voters to produce ID when voting after watchdog warned reform may discriminate against ethnic minorities.
Polling industry must get ‘house in order’, Lords say 17/04/2018 A Lords select committee today called for ‘tighter oversight’ of opinion polling and digital media in the run up to elections due to the threat they pose to the electoral process.
Political parties must report ‘gender gap’, campaigners say 05/04/2018 Campaigners are calling on the Government to enact legislation to force political parties to report their 'gender gap' when it comes to election candidates.
Leader denies decision to step down related to local plan defeat 04/04/2018 The leader of South Oxfordshire District Council has denied his decision to step down before the local elections is related to the authority’s local plan.
Got 5 to register before May's local elections? 20/03/2018 Emma Hartley explains what resources are available to help boost voter turnout in the upcoming local elections.
Law allowing survivors of domestic abuse to vote anonymously passes 08/03/2018 Changes in voter registration allowing survivors of domestic abuse to vote anonymously successfully passed through Parliament yesterday.
Charities warn voter ID plans could ‘damage turnout’ 07/03/2018 A coalition of charities and academics has warned the Government that plans to enforce voter ID at the upcoming local elections could ‘damage turnout and undermine engagement’.
Voter ID trials are ‘unnecessary and over-bearing’ say campaigners 02/03/2018 The Government has been urged to reconsider its ID voting trials by campaigners due to the ‘tiny’ amount of electoral fraud.
UKIP loses control of its only local authority 02/03/2018 UKIP lost control of Thanet District Council yesterday after a Conservative was voted in as leader.
Voter ID: cure for fraud or unreliable encumbrance? 01/03/2018 Will the voter ID scheme help prevent fraud in the local elections? Mark Whitehead investigates.
Piloting voter ID - what it means for local government 01/03/2018 A new pilot scheme will require voters to produce an ID to take part in the upcoming local elections. Mark Whitehead explains what the scheme is all about.
Tories set for election defeat in three flagship London boroughs poll predicts 22/02/2018 The Conservatives are set to lose at least three key London boroughs in the upcoming local elections, a new poll has suggested.
Requirement to publish home addresses in local elections to be dropped 07/02/2018 Candidates standing as councillors in local elections will soon not have to publish their home addresses on ballot papers, says the prime minister.
Welsh government proposes lowering voting age for council elections 29/01/2018 The Welsh government has laid out proposals for extending the right to vote in council elections to 16 and 17 year olds in a bid to give more people a say in local democracy.
The top 10 things local government can expect in 2018 10/01/2018 Tiffany Cloynes outlines her predictions for the top 10 issues for local government in 2018.
500 shared sites needed to end ‘age apartheid’, think tank says 05/01/2018 A think tank has called for the creation of hundreds of shared sites designed to bring young and old people together and end Britain’s ‘age apartheid’.
Electoral reforms required to avert future crises, commission says 06/12/2017 ‘Urgent action’ is needed to minimise the risks to the delivery of well-run elections in the future, an independent commission says.
Commissioners highlight problems for voters with disabilities 10/11/2017 Some people were unable to vote in the last general election because of their disabilities, according to the Electoral Commission.
Eight out of ten people think elections are well run 11/10/2017 Eight out of ten people believe elections are well run and free from fraud, according to research by the Electoral Commission.
Voter ID pilot launched in local elections 18/09/2017 Voters in five local authorities will have to prove who they are before they can cast their vote in council elections next May, the Government has announced.
Electoral system 'will fail' without urgent action, report warns 04/09/2017 The Government must rethink the electoral system to address the ‘many weaknesses and contradictions’ within it, a new report has argued today.
New plans will make it easier for domestic abuse victims to vote 04/09/2017 The Government has confirmed it will implement plans to make it easier for domestic abuse survivors to register to vote anonymously.
Analysis shows 22 million votes were 'wasted' in General Election 21/08/2017 More than 20 million votes had no impact on the result of the 2017 General Election, according to new analysis by the Electoral Reform Society.
New reforms to help sight impaired people to vote 21/08/2017 Local authorities will now be allowed to use records to help ensure people with a vision impairment receive accessible voting information.
Major shake-up of Welsh council elections unveiled 18/07/2017 Councils could be allowed to introduce proportional representation for local elections under new proposals unveiled by the Welsh Government.
Election registration system ‘needs modernising’, commission says 17/07/2017 Modernisation of the registration system for elections is ‘urgently needed’ to ease the burden on councils, commission says.
Details of £1bn DUP-Conservative deal published 27/06/2017 N. Ireland is set to receive new devolved powers as part of the £1bn deal between the minority Conservative government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Council orders probe into voting problems 14/06/2017 An investigation has been commissioned by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council after problems were raised with people voting in the General Election.
Hung parliament will ‘exacerbate uncertainties’ for local gov, warn experts 09/06/2017 The failure for any political party to secure a majority could cause a period of uncertainty and a lack of direction for councils, sector experts have warned.
Council apologises for over 1000 unissued postal votes 09/06/2017 Plymouth Council has apologised after a computer problem led to over 1,500 people not receiving their postal votes.
A quarter of seats haven't changed hands since WWII finds research 08/06/2017 One in four seats have been held by the same party since the Second World War, according to new analysis by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS).
Council pays out £2000 after blind woman unable to vote 07/06/2017 A woman has won a legal challenge against her district council over voting access for the blind and partially sighted.
Police to guard all polling stations in Tower Hamlets to tackle voter intimidation 07/06/2017 Police will be present at every polling station in Tower hamlets in a bid to tackle electoral fraud and voter intimidation.
Council replaces missing postal vote packs 07/06/2017 Plymouth council has been forced to issue hundreds of replacement postal vote packs after complaints that some have not been received.
Dramatic increase in tactical voting reveals flaws in ‘lottery’ electoral system 02/06/2017 One in five voters are planning to vote ‘tactically’ in the General Election, campaigners find.
Parties ‘failing’ to spell out consequences of election promises 30/05/2017 The two main political parties are failing to spell out the consequences of their general election proposals, financial experts have warned.
Lib Dems and Independents regain Cornwall Council 24/05/2017 The Liberal Democrats and independent councillors have taken control of Cornwall Council after weeks of uncertainty.
Youth vote important only in ‘handful of constituencies’ 22/05/2017 The youth vote only matters in a ‘handful of constituencies’, older people’s charity claims.
Voter ID plans are 'overbearing and counterproductive’ warn experts 19/05/2017 Election experts have slammed a Conservative manifesto proposal to make voters show personal identification as ‘overbearing and counterproductive’.
Council issue 11,500 poll cards with wrong constituency 15/05/2017 A council has apologised after sending out thousands of poll cards with the wrong constituency on.
Electoral reform activists warn of ‘registration time bomb’ 15/05/2017 Campaigners warn of ‘registration time bomb’ as research shows proportion of school leavers on the electoral roll dropped by a quarter between 2013 and 2016.
Emergency polling station set up in backseat of car 04/05/2017 Election staff in Moray were forced to improvise this morning after being locked out of their polling place.
Metro mayors ‘potentially worrying’ products of secret deals 04/05/2017 The new regional mayors are the products of deals done ‘behind closed doors’ and are therefore ‘worrying’, warns academic.
Fears as new era of metro mayors dawns 04/05/2017 Local government big hitters have voiced concerns about the accountability, effectiveness and necessity of the incoming combined authority mayors.
Nearly two thirds of young people ‘probably’ won’t vote, survey reveals 04/05/2017 Only one in seven young people say they will definitely vote in the General Election, survey reveals.
Don't forget local polls in ‘fog’ of general election, campaigners say 27/04/2017 Council representatives and campaigners are urging political parties to use next week to raise awareness of local issues ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Manchester Gorton by-election moved to 8 June 21/04/2017 Permission has been granted to delay the by-election for Manchester Gorton so it can take place on the same day as the General Election.
Too many elections? What the General Election means for local polls 21/04/2017 William Eichler speaks to Dr Jonathan Carr-West to find out how councils are preparing themselves to deliver two elections in five weeks.
Theresa May announces early General Election to ‘unify Westminster’ 18/04/2017 The prime minister has announced an early General Election in order to ‘unify Westminster’ ahead of Brexit negotiations.
Theresa May claims there are no ‘no-go areas’ for Tories in local elections 07/04/2017 Prime minister Theresa May has signalled intent to go on the offensive for new English county council, Welsh and Scottish seats.
Report shows rise in fraud related to voting offences 24/03/2017 There were 260 reported cases of electoral fraud last year, according to a new report from the Electoral Commission.
‘Ambitious reforms’ needed to improve completeness of electoral registers 17/03/2017 A new report has found that while the local government electorate grew last year, ‘ambitious reforms’ are required to keep up with the pace of changes.
'Major failures' found in Tower Hamlets fraud investigation 10/03/2017 Members of the London Assembly have accused the police of ‘major failings’ in their investigation of electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets.
New councillors need to ‘plan effectively’ for long term, auditors say 07/03/2017 Scottish councillors elected in May need to ‘plan effectively’ for the long term and work with their local communities when deciding key priorities, auditors say.
Domestic abuse victims could be allowed to vote anonymously under new proposals 03/03/2017 Survivors of domestic abuse will find it easier to register to vote anonymously under new government proposals.
Local election ballot papers to include Welsh language 13/02/2017 Ballot papers in Wales will now be written in both Welsh and English from this year's local council elections.
Welsh councils welcome White Paper on local government reform 01/02/2017 Councils in Wales have welcomed a new White Paper on local government reform which includes proposals to allow 16-year-olds to vote.
End election payments to council bosses says MSPs 24/01/2017 Extra payments for senior council officers to administer elections should be abolished, a report has said today.
Lib Dems gain two new council seats in byelections 16/01/2017 The Liberal Democrats scored a number of victories against both the Conservatives and Labour in the first council byelections of the year.
The blunt truth about voter ID 12/01/2017 Paul Wheeler on why the Government's plans requiring voters to present identification upon voting are in danger of becoming a form of voter suppression.
Parties warned to increase women councillors and MPs to 45% 10/01/2017 Political parties should ensure 45% of all MPs and councillors are female by 2030 or face financial penalties, a report has argued today.
Local elections could discourage implementation of social care precept, warn researchers 09/01/2017 Social care budgets could face a £500m ‘black hole’ because councillors will be reluctant to increase council tax in the face of elections, analysis reveals.
What councils can learn from Trump 17/11/2016 The surprise result of the US election can show local government much about how to engage with local communities, argues Claire Fox.
London’s voters ‘confused’ by complex electoral system 15/11/2016 London’s complex mayoral election system ‘confuses’ voters and should be reformed, election review panel says.
Electoral canvass pilot could save £20m 03/11/2016 The minister for the constitution has launched an electoral canvass pilot that could potentially save up to £20m.
Council mistakenly sends residents link to x-rated site 28/10/2016 A Suffolk council has apologised after mistakenly asking residents to log on to an X-rated pornographic website.
Expats to get ‘votes for life’ 07/10/2016 The Government has published plans to introduce ‘votes for life’ for British expatriates.
MSPs to investigate election officials’ pay 04/10/2016 The Scottish parliament is to review the widely varying ways returning officers – usually council chief executives - are paid for their work overseeing elections.
Giving immigrants right to vote would 'change the electoral map' 29/09/2016 All immigrants with a legal presence and proven residence should be given the right to vote, researchers argue in a new report.
Electoral processes in the UK ‘unfit for purpose’ 20/09/2016 British elections are stuck in the nineteenth century and are ‘unfit for purpose’, electoral administrators warn.

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Gifford Sutherland, knife crime expert at The Training Hub, provides some insight into neuroscience, young people and knife crime.

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