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vote16.bsky.social
@vote16.bsky.social
98 followers 650 following 220 posts
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Reposted
festivalofeurope.bsky.social
This coming Wednesday marks #HumanRightsDay and before we hear how the 2025 papers are marked let’s celebrate our neighbours in #Iceland 👏👏👏👏. They took poll position in 2024, showing us that our world is better when we value everyone. cirights.com/global-grip-...
Global Human Rights Grades 2024
Global ranking of human rights grades. Ties are indicated by the same global rank. Global RankCountryHuman Rights Grade1Iceland97.92Estonia96.53Denmark94.43Finland94.43Monaco94.43San Marino94.47Lux…
cirights.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted
conunitucl.bsky.social
Did you know that this government has been defeated over 100 times in the House of Lords?

The new edition of our constitutional review suggests that it is surprising to see the Lords challenging manifesto commitments to the extent that it has.

Read more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
The House of Lords and its treatment of legislation By the end of October 2025, Keir Starmer’s government had been subjected to 100 defeats in the House of Lords. This is a high number, but broadly consistent with the Johnson and Sunak governments (in the 2021–22 session there were 128 defeats; in 2022–23 there were 125). The ‘Salisbury convention’ indicates that the Lords will not vote down government manifesto bills in their entirety, and in practice such behaviour is very unusual on any bill (whether signalled in the manifesto or not). But a number of recent defeats have focused on key planks of government policy, as broadcast in the 2024 Labour manifesto. As reported in Monitor 90, this included defeats on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill to block the complete removal of hereditary peers (limiting action instead to permanently ending the hereditary peer by-elections). It also applied to several key measures in the government’s Employment Rights Bill, including policies to create ‘day one’ rights to sick pay and protection against unfair dismissal, require employers to offer fixed hours to those on ‘zero hours’ contracts, and loosen restrictions on trade union balloting and political funds. All defeats on both bills were readily overturned when they returned to the House of Commons, but the Lords quite surprisingly insisted for a third time on the changes to the Employment Rights Bill. There were also defeats on key elements of the Renters’ Rights Bill, on which the Lords did not insist when the...
December 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted
conunitucl.bsky.social
What will the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill change? What else is happening to local government funding, organisation and police and crime commissioners?

The new edition of our constitutional review explains the government's plans.

Read more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
England The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which was presented to parliament just before the last issue of Monitor went to press, commenced its report stage in the Commons on 24 November. The bill includes only minimal additional powers for English metro-mayors. Its main impact will be to standardise and clarify the powers available to each type of ‘strategic authority’. Unexpectedly, it also includes provisions to bring an end to the committee system in local authorities in England (in which councillors are divided into politically balanced committees that make the decisions), and to prevent the creation of any new local authority elected mayoralties. Any areas that do not already have elected mayors will therefore be required to use the leader and cabinet system, in which the councillors elect a leader (usually the head of the largest party) and that person then appoints a cabinet in which individual councillors are given specific policy responsibilities. The November Budget will have significant impacts on the funding of local government in England. It is likely to contain initial indications of the outcome of the government’s consultation on a ‘fair funding review’, which will change the allocation of grant funding to local government, in line with a new...
December 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
vote16.bsky.social
Quoting from Brexit watch

‘several rounds of negotiations on a new youth experience scheme had taken place and confirmed it would be capped, time-limited and visa-based. Chris Ward MP argued the previous deal had “narrowed opportunities” for young people and said the Government intends to reverse’
December 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted
snowden.st
Currently dorking out over this graph about child mortality with my brother. Just mind boggling to take in.
chart of child mortality in history, roughly 48% for all societies across the globe…until the 20th century, where it plummets to 4%
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Reposted
yougov.co.uk
Latest YouGov government approval ratings, 29 November-1 December 2025

Approve: 12% (-1 from 22-24 Nov)
Disapprove: 72% (+3)
Net: -60 (-4)

yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted
conunitucl.bsky.social
What are the political parties proposing for the European Convention on Human Rights? Do these plans stand up to scrutiny?

The new edition of our constitutional review discusses the Conservative, Reform and Labour approaches.

Read more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
The UK and the ECHR In June, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch instructed Shadow Attorney General Lord (David) Wolfson of Tredegar to provide a legal analysis of the effect of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) on UK policymaking, and how the government could withdraw from the ECHR (see Monitor 90). Right-wing think tank the Prosperity Institute published its own review in September (co-authored by former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman). It called for the UK to leave the ECHR, which it described as a ‘sword against sovereignty’. Policy Exchange produced a report specifically on the question of how the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement would be affected by any decision to withdraw. It argued that withdrawal would not breach the Agreement – a conclusion firmly rebutted by the Attorney General, Lord (Richard) Hermer, during an evidence session before the House of Lords Constitution Committee, and previously by various experts in evidence to the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Wolfson’s report was published on 2 October. It examined the effect of the ECHR in five public policy areas: immigration, the prosecution of members of the armed forces, the allocation of housing and benefits, justice policy (including the right to protest), and infrastructure projects. It also considered...
December 2, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted
writersguildgb.bsky.social
We are so sad to learn of the death of Tom Stoppard, a v long-term + loyal member of the WGGB

A recipient of our Outstanding Contribution to Writing Award in 2017, he was presented by former WGGB President David Edgar, who said of him, “Like no one else, he has challenged, dazzled and amazed”
November 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reposted
cambsforeurope.bsky.social
Some in the UK may feel superior when looking at the Trump regime, but the USA is far from the only democracy being undermined by Russian money and agents.

We need a full investigation into the extent of Russia's interference in Brexit and UK elections.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted
conunitucl.bsky.social
@alanrenwick.bsky.social is speaking at an in-person event at Kensington Central Library tomorrow night.

Co-organised with Operation Black Vote and @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social, the event is part of a series about how democracy works and how to shape political decisions.

Sign up 👇
Use your voice | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
www.rbkc.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vote16.bsky.social
Whoop, whoop, whoop!!
Although I’m still not going to believe it until it’s actually before parliament
November 26, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Reposted
conunitucl.bsky.social
What five principal areas does the government’s elections policy paper actually cover?

And what five 'sins of omission' does it make?

The new edition of our constitutional review gives a digestible, expert analysis.

Read more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
Government proposals on electoral reform In July, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government published a policy paper – Restoring Trust in Our Democracy: Our Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections – setting out plans for reforms to the UK’s electoral institutions. The proposals covered five principal areas. First, the paper confirmed the government’s intention to reduce the voting age to 16 for all elections where it remains at 18: elections to the House of Commons throughout the UK; and all other elections in England and Northern Ireland. It would also apply to police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales, but these posts are now to be abolished before the next elections. Second, it proposed steps towards more automated electoral registration. The government will seek powers to ‘actively test methods of automated registration’, and to make permanent changes without further primary legislation ‘where we are confident that they will have a positive impact on registration levels’. Third, it set out several measures to ease the voting process. The range of forms of eligible voter ID...
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted
bestforbritain.org
💪 A strong public service broadcaster is crucial for a functional democracy.

🗣️ Without a trusted source of information, voters are at danger of being misled and manipulated

🎥 The BBC is not perfect, but it is indispensable.

https://bit.ly/3XhSymX
My guide to populist-proofing your democracy – before it’s too late | Timothy Garton Ash
From public service broadcasting to an independent judiciary, these are the things that we must fight to keep, says Guardian columnist Timothy Garton Ash
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted
tabouchadi.bsky.social
Labour is desperately trying to appeal to Reform supporters. In October, we asked people in the UK if they perceive a party as a "party for someone like them". Only very few people say this for both Labour and Reform. The correlation is negative. Labour is chasing an electorate that does not exist.
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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asheinze.bsky.social
🎉 New publication 🎉 Why do #youngpeople vote for the #AfD? This question has kept our research project busy for quite some time, so I'm beyond excited that our first article - co-authored with @timonscheuer.bsky.social - is now out in #GermanPolitics! 🤩 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 22, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
Lib Dems to force vote on creating new customs union with EU

Ed Davey’s party believes the move is the best way to ‘turbocharge’ economy, rather than tax rises

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lib Dems to force vote on creating new customs union with EU
Ed Davey’s party believes the move is the best way to ‘turbocharge’ economy, rather than tax rises
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:07 AM
vote16.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Half of all UK jobs shed since Labour came to power are among under-25s
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
vote16.bsky.social
‘79% of young Austrians reported having voted’

www.euronews.com/2018/09/11/w...
What does voting at 16 change? The case of Austria
Teenagers of 16 and 17 can vote in a couple of European countries. But is it a good thing?
www.euronews.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted
electionmaps.uk
Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 33% (=)
GRN: 17% (-1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (=)
LDM: 11% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)

Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 12 Nov.
Changes w/ 5-6 Nov.
November 13, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted
greenpartymolly.bsky.social
Half the citizens of the UK now say they support parties that have only 10 MPs in parliament

Never has the necessity for a fair voting system being more urgent

The old-school parties are sticking with the outdated system out of desperate self-interest
electionmaps.uk Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 26d
Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 33% (=)
GRN: 17% (-1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (=)
LDM: 11% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)

Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 12 Nov.
Changes w/ 5-6 Nov.
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 AM
vote16.bsky.social
Also these are parties (Mamdani Democrats and Polanski’s Greens) that are actively listening to and trying to engage with younger voters - which (shock, horror) means they get a lot of support from people who aren’t fetishising triple lock pensions
therestpolitics.bsky.social The Rest Is Politics @therestpolitics.bsky.social · 25d
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨

The Mamdani Method: Is Britain Next?

Join @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @rory-stewart.bsky.social as they discuss Zohran Mamdani's monumental win in New York City, how it shook up the system, and if we can expect a similar pattern here in the UK...

Link in the replies 👇
November 14, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Reposted
therestpolitics.bsky.social
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨

The Mamdani Method: Is Britain Next?

Join @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @rory-stewart.bsky.social as they discuss Zohran Mamdani's monumental win in New York City, how it shook up the system, and if we can expect a similar pattern here in the UK...

Link in the replies 👇
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
vote16.bsky.social
I haven’t had a chance to read this yet but I’m excited to have a read… I’ll report back when I’ve had a proper look demos.co.uk/wp-content/u...
demos.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 8:11 AM
vote16.bsky.social
There’s an interesting discussion about Votes at 16 and how aware 16 year olds are about disinformation - after the first section on Number 10 shooting themselves in the foot youtube.com/watch?v=holV...
Is Starmer's Leadership Under Threat?
YouTube video by The Rest Is Politics
youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Reposted
samfr.bsky.social
Notable in today's YouGov that the centre/left bloc - Lab/Green/LD/SNP are on 54%. With Reform/Tories on 43%. That's the biggest differential in a long time.

I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM