Voter ID: MPs urge government to rethink plans for election checks – BBC News
‘The UK government should rethink its plans to require voters to show photo ID at polling stations, MPs say.’
BBC News, 13th December 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: elections
Proposed Voter ID reforms in the UK: The dangers of ‘fraud’ based regulation – Oxford Human Rights Hub
‘The UK government’s Election Bill containing controversial Voter ID provisions is progressing with haste through parliament this month, despite significant alarm over its potential impact. Whilst the government claims the bill will increase ballot security, all evidence points to these proposals being harmful to voter access and electoral integrity as the US experience demonstrates.’
Oxford Human Rights Hub, 18th October 2021
Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk
Jacob Eisler: Voter ID and the Elections Bill 2021: Legislative Manipulation of Democratic Procedure and the Limits of Judicial Review – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘The Elections Bill 2021, as of the date of publication for the House of Commons Committee stage, advances a variety of changes to the regulation of elections and the practice of voting in the UK. Of the reforms, one controversially reshapes the practical experience of voting for most citizens. A new voter ID requirement will amend the Representation of the People Act 1983 to require proof of identity, in the form of a photographic ID such as a passport, drivers’ license, or dedicated voter identity document, for in-person voting. While this may seem like a light burden, both the broader impact of such a requirement on voting and the underlying anti-fraud rationale have raised significant concerns.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 29th September 2021
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
How Will Voter ID Impact Human Rights? – Each Other
‘A new bill could prevent millions of people from being able to vote, according to a report published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR).’
Each Other, 21st September 2021
Source: eachother.org.uk
Aileen McHarg and Alison L. Young: The Resilience of the (Old) British Constitution – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘In 2009, Vernon Bogdanor wrote about The New British Constitution. His thesis was that a decade of New Labour reforms had produced a shift in the nature of the constitution, from one based on parliamentary sovereignty, to one based on the “sovereignty of the constitution”. Since 2009, further constitutional reforms have been implemented by governments of various political stripes, apparently consolidating the legalisation of the constitution, and the dispersal of power from the institutions of central government to Parliament, the devolved institutions, and the courts. The New British Constitution appeared to be firmly established. Recent events, however, demonstrate the shaky foundations of this new constitutionalism, with a growing trend towards a weakening of both legal and political checks on Governmental power. This blog post draws attention to this worrying trend, focusing on three key examples. It is based on the findings of the first report of the Constitutional Monitoring Group (of which the authors are both members), established to provide a biannual barometer of the state of constitutional principles in the UK. The report raises concerns not just about the potential consequences of this trend, but of the piecemeal and rapid manner in which it is occurring, with some important constitutional changes appearing to happen under the radar.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 8th September 2021
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
What does the UK elections bill set out? – The Guardian
‘The elections bill, which will be debated in the Commons for the first time on Tuesday, is, according to the government, an ambitious and timely set of plans to ensure elections remain fair and secure. To critics, it is undemocratic and intended to rig elections in favour of the Conservatives. So what does the bill set out?’
The Guardian, 7th September 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Saturday musings: the Charity Commission and “political” campaigning – Law & Religion UK
‘The Runnymede Trust is a charitable think-tank focused on race equality and race relations in the UK. The Charity Commission opened a compliance case in April 2021 after complaints about the Trust’s response to the report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (“the CRED report”) and the trustees’ decision to work with the Good Law Project to challenge certain public appointments. The Commission also noted the appearance of a senior executive of Runnymede at an event organised by a political party, alongside several elected representatives and affiliated speakers. The issue, in short, was whether the Trust was engaging in party-political activity, contrary to charity law – and the Commission has concluded that the Trust has not broken the law. So far, not much obviously to do with “religion” – but read on.’
Law & Religion UK, 4th September 2021
Source: lawandreligionuk.com
New Elections Bill to ‘protect democracy,’ says government – BBC News
‘Controversial plans to require voters to show photo ID at polling stations have been introduced in Parliament.’
BBC News, 5th July 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Millions in UK face disenfranchisement under voter ID plans – The Guardian
‘Millions of voters could be disenfranchised under “discriminatory” plans due to be unveiled on Monday that will force people to carry identification to cast a ballot, Labour has warned.’
The Guardian, 4th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
High Court hears judicial review over voting provisions for blind and partially sighted people – Local Government Lawyer
‘The High Court is this week (15-16 June) hearing a second judicial review challenge in respect of the voting provisions for blind and partially sighted people.’
Local Government Lawyer, 16th June 2021
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Elections and compulsory photo ID – what effect will it have on Gypsies and Irish Travellers? – Each Other
‘At the annual Queen’s Speech last week, the controversial Electoral Integrity Bill was announced. If passed, it means that voters will need to produce a valid form of photo ID when they cast their vote. The government rationale behind the legislation is to secure trust and prevent fraud in UK voting systems. It is thought the legislation will be in place by next year. Despite being routinely practiced in many countries, including Northern Ireland and the United States, this type of legislation has been criticised for deterring voters and, more problematically, disenfranchising poorer, minority and elderly voters. This is due to the fact that procuring approved forms of identification can be expensive and time consuming.’
Each Other, 20th May 2021
Source: eachother.org.uk
Gareth Evans: The Senedd Election and the Constitutional Prospects for Welsh Devolution – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘On 6 May 2021, the people of Wales went to the polls in the sixth Senedd election. More so than in previous Senedd elections, the focus of the debate centred around a catalogue of distinctly Welsh political issues, including the constitutional future of the Welsh devolution settlement. Among the constitutional possibilities offered to voters at the election were proposals for both the abolition of the Senedd and Welsh independence, together with the more muted options of maintaining the constitutional status quo, or seeking the devolution of additional powers in areas such as justice and policing, transport and broadcasting.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 13th May 2021
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Government’s Photo ID Plans Put Voters’ Rights At Risk – Each Other
‘Requiring voters to prove their identity by presenting photo ID at polling stations risks infringing electors’ right to vote freely and fairly.’
Each Other, 11th May 2021
Source: eachother.org.uk
Boris Johnson flat inquiry: what sanctions can watchdog impose? – The Guardian
‘Boris Johnson is bracing for an investigation by the Electoral Commission into payments covering renovations to his Downing Street flat. What will the process will look like and what sanctions could the Conservative party face?’
The Guardian, 28th April 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Care home residents ‘barred’ from voting in local elections because of Covid rules – Daily Telegraph
‘Care home residents are “effectively barred” from voting in person in the elections by guidance that requires them to self-isolate for 14 days after leaving the home, a care group has said.’
Daily Telegraph, 14th April 2021
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“You don’t have the votes!” – Tanveer Qureshi and Katharine Elliot – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
‘Imagine. The UK May 2024 general election is finally drawing to a close. After months of campaigning, the votes are in and pundits are predicting a clear win for Party A. The leader of Party B is concerned the election was not fair and accusations of voter fraud and spoiled ballets begin to fly on social media and the national news. How will this be investigated? Will anyone be prosecuted? Could the election result really be overturned?’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 4th March 2021
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
Supreme court to hear challenge to UK’s voter ID trial in 2019 election – The Guardian
‘The supreme court is to hear a challenge to the government’s decision to hold voter ID trials in 2019 in a case that could have implications for the wider rollout of the scheme.’
The Guardian, 18th March 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
“You don’t have the votes!” – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
‘Imagine. The UK May 2024 general election is finally drawing to a close. After months of campaigning, the votes are in and pundits are predicting a clear win for Party A. The leader of Party B is concerned the election was not fair and accusations of voter fraud and spoiled ballots begin to fly on social media and the national news. How will this be investigated? Will anyone be prosecuted? Could the election result really be overturned?’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 4th March 2021
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
Warning over photo ID law change for UK-wide and English elections – The Guardian
‘Changing the law to force people to show photo ID to take part in UK elections will be catastrophic for ethnic minority communities, increasing barriers to access and in effect disenfranchising them, equality and democracy campaigners have warned.’
The Guardian, 9th March 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
