‘Millionaire Butlins owner Peter Harris has been given the Electoral Commission’s biggest financial penalty for breaking spending return rules during the EU referendum.’
BBC News, 20th June 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘On 29 March 2017, Theresa May’s Article 50 letter of notice was delivered to Donald Tusk, thereby formally triggering the Treaty-based process for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The question remains: is this trajectory irreversible, or can the UK rescind its notification?’
UK Human Rights Blog, 14th June 2017
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘The rules around photography at elections were not drawn up with social media in mind, so it’s best to keep that phone in your pocket while you vote.’
The Guardian, 8th June 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Banksy has cancelled his offer of a free print to people in six Bristol constituencies who vote against the Conservative Party in the General Election, after receiving a warning from the Electoral Commission that the offer would invalidate the election result.’
Local Government Lawyer, 6th June 2017
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Theresa May has declared she is prepared to rip up human rights laws to impose new restrictions on terror suspects, as she sought to gain control over the security agenda just 36 hours before the polls open.’
The Guardian, 6th June 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A local authority has settled a claim brought by a woman who is registered as blind over alleged breaches of her right to vote at local and general elections in 2015, it has been reported.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2017
Source: localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The conditions for when a snap election can be called were significantly restricted by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011. The Act of Parliament, which was part of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement produced after the 2010 general election, was introduced fixed-term elections to the Westminster parliament.’
Daily Telegraph, 31st May 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Was there ever a more hollow and impotent piece of legislation than the UK’s Fixed Term Parliaments Act? Trumpeted by the Conservative-led coalition as a way of stopping opportunist prime ministers ever again calling snap elections to capitalize on hefty poll leads – by complicating simple confidence votes in ways that prompted Labour to condemn it as a constitutional “stitch-up” – within six short years of receiving Royal Assent it has proved itself wholly incapable of doing any such thing. When it suited David Cameron to build a protective cordon around his unholy alliance with the Liberal Democrats, the Act was a useful confection: a road-block solid enough to stop either partner provoking an early return to the polls, by swerving out of the ministerial motorcade in a petulant huff. But the fact it could be so casually swept aside as soon as the Tories’ stars were back in the ascendancy – like a trifling traffic cone in the residents’ parking bay otherwise reserved for them outside Number 10 Downing Street – shows it wasn’t worth the statute-book it was written on. We should repeal this zombie law at the earliest opportunity.’
OUP Blog, 31st May 2017
Source: blog.oup.com
‘Charities have been silenced from speaking out about the Conservative social care plans despite believing they will be hugely damaging to elderly and disabled people across the country, it has been claimed.’
The Guardian, 29th May 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘In the light of widespread dissatisfaction with the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (‘FTPA’), the Conservative party manifesto states, at page 43, “We will repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act”. This post explores the constitutional implications if, as seems likely, the Conservative Government continues to command a majority in the House of Commons after the election and seeks to convince Parliament to repeal the Act.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 24th May 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The former mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman has launched a legal challenge to a court ruling that bans him from standing for election.’
The Guardian, 17th May 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The information commissioner has launched an investigation into the way UK political parties target voters through social media with a warning that if they send political messages to people based on their individual data, they could be breaking the law.’
Daily Telegraph, 17th May 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘On 18 April 2017, despite previous assertions to the contrary, Theresa May called an early general election for 8 June. The unexpected move was intended to bolster the prime minister’s support in parliament as she leads the UK into Brexit negotiations. The decision also left opposition parties little more than seven weeks to attempt to mount successful campaigns.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 15th May 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Last November the judge decided that the UK’s air pollution plans under EU and domestic laws were not good enough. The case has a long, and unedifying back-story of Government not doing what the law says it should do.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 16th May 2017
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Election rules are failing to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, allowing political parties to spend millions of pounds on locally targeted Facebook adverts with national campaign funds, experts have warned.’
The Independent, 15th May 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Nick Vamos, CPS Head of Special Crime, said: “We have considered files of evidence from 14 police forces in respect of allegations relating to Conservative Party candidates’ expenditure during the 2015 General Election campaign.”‘
Crown Prosecution Service, 10th May 2017
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘The Crown Prosecution Service has announced it will make no charges against Conservative candidates who were alleged to have broken election spending rules.’
The Independent, 10th May 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘The Government has lost a High Court bid to delay publication of an air pollution plan – described as a “controversial bomb” by its own lawyer – until after the General Election.’
The Independent, 27th April 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2024