An election information service fit for BBC 2.0
The BBC could provide integrated and targeted information on all UK elections, helping to strengthen democratic participation. My article for the Open Democracy’s OurBeeb project showed how.
Book Review – Making British Law: Committees in Action
I reviewed Louise Thompson’s new book on House of Commons bill committees for LSE Review of Books. The book offers a persuasive new account of committees’ work and shows how backbench MPs can influence legislation.
What the BBC Got Wrong on Syria Last Week
I appeared on the BBC’s Newswatch programme, criticising the BBC for its coverage of the debate on British military involvement in Syria. Read a summary of my argument here.
EU referendum: We need an intelligent debate about lowering the voting age
My article for the LSE’s new Brexit blog (23 November 2015). I argued in favour of the House of Lords’ (probably short-lived) amendment of the referendum bill to enfranchised 16 and 17 year olds, but suggested that the debate on lowering the voting age has so far been generating more heat than light.
NHS trusts need to improve the way they publish election results
Analysis for Health Election Data (7 November 2015) about the poor quality of election results publication at NHS Foundation Trusts. I highlighted various instances of bad practice, from delayed publication to the withholding of key information.
We need an NHS election day
Post for Health Election Data (15 April 2015), my site monitoring NHS Foundation Trust elections, on how greater coordination in the timing of NHS elections could lead to increased voter participation.
What impact will overseas voters have on the general election?
My post for the Crick Centre blog (1 May 2015), at the University of Sheffield, considering how our democracy treats voters who have moved overseas. Not very well at all, I argued.
Switching off E4 on election day will not help engage young voters
My article on The Huffington Post (30 April 2015), criticising Channel 4 for its decision to switch off E4 on election day. Although well-meaning, this move represented a continuation of tiresome efforts to exhort young people to vote.
9 reasons why we should count votes the day after the general election
My list-based commentary article for Buzzfeed (6 May 2015), proposing we abolish ‘election night’, embrace common sense and count votes the day after a general election.
Government should look to NHS for ways to improve general election 2015
My article for Guardian Healthcare (11 February 2015), considering the electoral innovations used in NHS Foundation Trust elections. I argued the NHS could be a good source of evidence on votes at 16, online voting and the single transferable vote.
