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.
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.
Three reforms that would be more effective than adding a ‘None of the above’ option to ballot papers
My post for Democratic Audit (22 January 2015), considering the possible benefits of adding a ‘None of the above’ option to ballot papers at elections. I argued this would be only a superficial change, and that campaigning efforts would be better expended for reforms such as primaries, electoral reform or abolishing deposits.
Scots living overseas or elsewhere in the UK should have been given the right to vote in the independence referendum
My post for Democratic Audit (15 September 2014) shortly before the Scottish independence referendum, arguing that Scottish voters living outside the country should have been able to vote. This includes expats – who had their vote removed by the Scottish Government – and those living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Book Review: Money and Electoral Politics: Local Parties and Funding in General Elections
My review of ‘Money and Electoral Politics’ by Ron Johnston and Charles Pattie for LSE Review of Books (15 August 2014). I found the book an excellent source of data and insight on the financing of political parties and elections, but with a number of key issues under-explored.
