How do we tackle the ‘infodemic’ of misinformation around coronavirus?How do we tackle misinformation around coronavirus?Posted 27 Apr 2020
New report shows why Britain’s campaign rules need an overhaul before next MayNew analysis of the 2019 General Election has highlighted major pressures on Britain’s electoral process.Posted 23 Apr 2020
Britain’s campaign laws leave our elections open to fake news and manipulationDecember’s election was the third Westminster election in four years. Each one of those has highlighted a growing crisis facing the UK’s electoral politics. In an article published by The Guardian, Cambridge Analytica whistle-blower Brittany...Posted 29 Jan 2020
What does the Electoral Commission do?The Electoral Commission is an independent body established in 2001. Its mandate is limited by what is set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000 and subsequent amendments. The Electoral Commission...Posted 09 Dec 2019
Google starts to open up on political ads – but who’s setting the rules?New rules have just come into force at Google, banning political ads which target the public based on their political affiliations. (Targeting on the basis of age, gender and general location will be allowed to...Posted 26 Nov 2019
Three issues that need tackling this General ElectionLet’s use this election as a chance to re-build democracy on stronger and fairer foundations As the UK prepares for its next general election in December, it is important to revise what needs to be...Posted 05 Nov 2019
Could social media warp the next General Election?Facebook recently triggered a major public debate by changing its rules on posts by political campaigners. Previously these had been open to ‘fact-checking’ by trusted organisations. However, the new decision means the site will not...Posted 29 Oct 2019
Dark ads and dodgy donors: How the Queen’s Speech missed a chance to protect our democracyThere was a conspicuous silence in the Queen’s Speech on Monday. Despite announcing a bill to protect ‘electoral integrity’ (by making it harder for us all to vote), there was inaction on updating Britain’s outdated...Posted 18 Oct 2019
At our Lib Dem fringe, panelists looked at future proofing our campaigning lawsWith proportional representation a long-term policy of the Liberal Democrats, we took the opportunity to discuss the wider crisis in our democracy at the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth this year. As the possibility...Posted 03 Oct 2019
An election could happen at any time – electoral law needs to be urgently updatedLast week, the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee published its response to the government’s Online Harms White Paper, where it called for urgent legislation to safeguard future elections. Echoing the...Posted 11 Jul 2019