ELECTIONS

Pickles in ID for voters call

The electoral system in Britain needs widespread reforms to crack down on corruption and fraud, a report from Sir Eric Pickles has warned.

The electoral system in Britain needs widespread reforms to crack down on corruption and fraud, a report from Sir Eric Pickles has warned.

Sir Eric's report, which was commissioned in the wake of corrupt and illegal practices in the 2015 Tower Hamlets mayoral election, suggests voters should be required to bring identification with them to polling stations and more power for returning officers to crack down.

The report also outlines measures to clamp down on postal vote ‘harvesting' by political activists, and stronger checks and balances against municipal corruption.

In the report, Sir Eric wrote: ‘We need to make sure that people trust the system and that perceptions can play as big a part in undermining the system as well as actual proof of fraud.

‘A group of people who cheat their way to power are unlikely to hold a higher moral standard when handing out public contracts or when making quasi-judicial decision on planning and licensing. 

‘Electoral registration fraud is connected with financial crime and illegal immigration.'

ELECTIONS

Devo Bill to reintroduce supplementary vote in blow to Reform

By Dan Peters | 10 July 2025

The supplementary vote system will be reintroduced to elect mayors in a move that is expected to reduce the chances of success for Reform UK.

ELECTIONS

Call for Government to fix 'broken' children's social care

By Ann McGauran | 10 July 2025

Urgent action is needed to fix a ‘broken’ children’s social care system and give all young people the future they deserve, the chair of the Commons Education...

ELECTIONS

Under pressure: The strain of snap elections

By Peter Stanyon | 09 July 2025

Peter Stanyon says election teams must have the legislation, systems and funding in place if they are to keep on delivering the safe, secure and accurate Gen...

ELECTIONS

The truth about real leadership

By Pam Parkes | 09 July 2025

Meeting today’s challenges demands the same ambitious civic leadership as the last great age of municipal delivery. Real change is cultural not cosmetic, say...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman