‘Pilot schemes requiring voters to produce photo ID at polling stations disenfranchise those who do not have or cannot find their documents and alienate people from the democratic process, the court of appeal has been told.’
The Guardian, 23rd April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘MPs will no longer automatically get a vote on any future plans to redraw constituency boundaries.’
The Guardian, 26th March 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Electoral legislation that originates from the Victorian era is “out-dated, confusing and no longer fit for purpose”, the Law Commissions of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have said in a report calling for the adoption of a single, consistent legislative framework.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th March 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The government has decided to postpone the 7 May 2020 local and mayoral elections in England for one year.’
Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Political organisations would face unlimited fines for breaking electoral law under new proposals to protect UK elections and referendums from “dirty money and dodgy data misuse”.’
The Guardian, 18th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A judge has issued a preliminary ruling in a libel action against the investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr and warned that broadcasts and public speeches should not be interpreted as though they were formal written texts.’
The Guardian, 12th December 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A data rights group has threatened legal action against the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats over the parties’ use of personal data ahead of Thursday’s election.’
The Guardian, 9th December 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Tuesday 3 December marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), but with only one week to go until the UK General Election, the prospects of sufficient Members of Parliament with disabilities being elected looks dismal. The theme of the 2019 IDPWD is ‘The Future is Accessible’, examining what barriers need to be removed to enable full inclusion of people with disabilities. Reforming Section 104 of the Equality Act 2010 on selection of candidates to allow for All Disability Shortlists would remove a significant barrier. The legitimacy of our democracy and political engagement by disabled people requires it.’
Oxford Human Rights Hub, 5th December 2019
Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk
‘Elections are hotly contested affairs, rife with accusations and mud-slinging. George Bernard Shaw put it bluntly: ‘An election is a moral horror, as bad as a battle except for the blood; a mud bath for every soul concerned in it.’ ‘
Law Society's Gazette, 2nd December 2019
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘By declaring the prorogation of parliament to be unlawful, the Supreme Court made a decision with huge legal consequences.’
The Guardian, 29th November 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The ECHR was incorporated into UK domestic law through the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which came into effect in October 2000 and has been hailed as a “constitutional statute” enjoying limited protection from implied repeal which this status brings (see Thoburn v Sunderland City Council). It has been further referred to as a “higher order” provision under which the long established doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty has yielded its station to the constitutional morality of the rule of law. It is arguable that the HRA has provided substantial positive protections to citizens as judgments finding violation against the UK have decreased in trend from 6.8% of Strasbourg judgments in 2001 to 0.2% in 2017.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 28th November 2019
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘For even the most dyed in the wool Conservative voter, Conservative Central Headquarters’ decision to rename their twitter account as factcheckUK during Monday night’s leadership debates would have appeared unedifying. This conduct, which has the clear potential to mislead the public, goes beyond party lines and drifts into tactics that no one would properly describe as fair or opaque. Indeed, it is tactic one would expect to be utilised by one of the worlds autocratic regimes rather than by a major party in a democracy like the United Kingdom.’
Church Court Chambers, November 2019
Source: churchcourtchambers.co.uk
‘As the clock ticks down to the 12 December general election, political parties have begun releasing manifestos outlining the policies they will pursue if they enter into government.’
Rights Info, 26th November 2019
Source: rightsinfo.org
‘A Brexiteer who is running against Anna Soubry in the general election has been convicted of harassing the Change UK leader. Amy Dalla Mura was banned from entering the Broxtowe constituency at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.’
The Independent, 20th November 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘The Liberal Democrats are launching a legal challenge against ITV over its decision to exclude their leader from the channel’s election debate.’
BBC News, 11th November 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘As the general election kicks off, James Goudie QC highlights a 2017 High Court ruling on the status of “purdah” and the business that can and cannot be conducted while it applies.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th November 2019
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘“Purdah” is upon us. It lasts until 12 December 2019, only shortly before the Christmas/New Year break. It is as well to recall a case noted in this Bulletin on 11 May 2017, the decision of Garnham J in relation to the last General Election, on 8 June 2017, announced on 18 April 2017, and local government elections which were to take place on 4 May 2017, R (Client Earth) v SoS for Environment etc (2017) EWHC 1618 (Admin). The main point that the Judge made was that “purdah” is not a rule of law, and that it does not, and did not in that case, override obligations to comply with statutory duties.’
11 KBW, 7th November 2019
Source: www.11kbw.com
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