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It’s time for candidates to ‘play fair’ and back overhaul of UK’s outdated election rules

The Fair Play Pledge, a major initiative involving several democratic organisations, was formally launched this Wednesday to highlight the need for open and transparent campaigning for the May election period. Next month thousands of candidates...

Posted 09 Apr 2021

MPs in joint call to ‘protect and strengthen’ the Electoral Commission, 20 years after its foundation

This week marks 20 years since the Electoral Commission was founded. It’s a time for celebration of its successes but also a time to look to its future. That’s why former Digital, Culture, Media and...

Posted 04 Dec 2020

The Electoral Commission has become an analogue regulator in a digital age

Happy birthday to the Electoral Commission – now let’s give it the powers it needs

This Monday marks 20 years since the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 received Royal Assent. It was an act which set up the Electoral Commission, the UK’s independent elections watchdog – and tackled...

Posted 30 Nov 2020

Why we need transparency around the political use of personal data

In recent years, we’ve talked a lot about the rise of online political campaigning and the impact this can have on our democratic processes – the ERS has been at the forefront of calling for...

Posted 26 Nov 2020

20 years since the Electoral Commission was founded, our watchdog needs more clout

Monday 30th November marks the 20th Anniversary of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. In 2000, just 30% of people had internet access at home. Facebook was years from conception. Today, campaigners spend millions each election...

Posted 25 Nov 2020

voters deserve to know who’s targeting them online.

As the Scottish Government closes the ‘dark ads’ loophole, Westminster must follow suit

For too long now, online political campaigning in Britain has gone effectively unregulated – to the benefit of well-funded, secretive groups, and to the detriment of voters. Despite the rapid rise of online political ads as a campaign tool, governments...

Posted 29 Oct 2020

Articles and Insights

It’s time for candidates to ‘play fair’ and back overhaul of UK’s outdated election rules

MPs in joint call to ‘protect and strengthen’ the Electoral Commission, 20 years after its foundation

Happy birthday to the Electoral Commission – now let’s give it the powers it needs

Why we need transparency around the political use of personal data

20 years since the Electoral Commission was founded, our watchdog needs more clout

As the Scottish Government closes the ‘dark ads’ loophole, Westminster must follow suit

Tackling online harms to our democracy must be a priority

Cross-party figures unite to call for transparency in ‘Wild West’ online campaigning

ERS reveals the scale of secretive online campaigning during last year’s election

New inquiry launched into Britain’s ‘wild west’ electoral laws