Even senior MPs agree the government needs to pause and rethink the 2022 Elections BillEarlier this week, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs (PACAC) select committee published the final report of its inquiry into the Elections Bill. In a highly critical report, the influential committee heeded...Posted 17 Dec 2021
The top 5 most-read ERS articles from 2021Every year we have a look through the stats to see which of our articles were the most popular with readers in the year coming to a close. So if you missed them the first...Posted 13 Dec 2021
Dominic Grieve is just the latest conservative to call for a halt to the 2022 Elections BillWhile the Elections Bill is not expected to return to parliament until the new year, opposition is still growing against this dangerous legislation. The most recent conservative to speak out is former Attorney General, Dominic...Posted 07 Dec 2021
Expensive Voter ID scheme is neither necessary nor proportionateThe 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,...Posted 22 Oct 2021
Sweeping undemocratic changes are being rushed through without consultationA major change to the voting system for Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners has been slipped into the Elections Bill at Committee Stage – after MPs and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee...Posted 06 Oct 2021
Scottish Government refuses to recommend consent for 2022 Elections BillThe Scottish government is standing up to Westminster on legislation that would see voter ID imposed on UK elections held in Scotland. Deputy First Minister John Swinney lodged a ‘legislation consent memorandum’ in the Scottish...Posted 01 Oct 2021
22 Welsh organisations warn voter ID plans could leave vulnerable voters locked outAt a time when we should be thinking about how to remove the barriers to our democracy, the UK Government is instead introducing a policy that could leave millions shut out. Provisions in the Elections...Posted 14 Sep 2021
Nearly 300,000 signatures handed to No 10 over undemocratic voter ID plans Campaign groups handed in nearly 300,000 petition signatures to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, calling for the government to scrap plans to ban those without ID from voting.Posted 09 Sep 2021
Voter ID could breach fundamental rights, MPs warnThe ERS gave evidence to the committee’s enquiry with Dr Jess Garland telling MPs and Peers that it was “implausible” to suggest that fraud by personation – trying to vote under a false identity –...Posted 03 Sep 2021
Voter ID: Thousands tell the government: “Hands off our vote”Over 50,000 people have now signed the Electoral Reform Society’s petition urging ministers to scrap plans to impose mandatory voter ID – amid growing fears that millions of people could be locked out of democracy....Posted 03 Sep 2021