Sir Eric Pickles, the Government’s Anti-Corruption Champion, has carried out a review of electoral fraud and has made fifty recommendations on what could be done to tackle the problem. The Government has now published its response. This Briefing Paper provides information about electoral fraud since 2010 and includes details of the reports published by the Electoral Commission and the Association of Chief Police Officers on cases of alleged electoral malpractice.
During the EU referendum campaign there were complaints about the claims put forward in campaign literature and calls for an independent body to oversee the truthfulness of claims made during political campaigns. This Briefing Paper looks at the regulation of campaign literature in the UK and in other countries.
This Briefing Paper provides background to the increasing use of referendums worldwide to settle constitutional issues and to the holding of referendums in the UK; a table of all referendums held in the UK to date is provided. The use of thresholds in referendums is discussed and information provided on the administration of referendums and regulation of the referendum campaigns.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library briefing paper looks at the situation in a range of policy areas and considers what impact Brexit might have. This will depend, among other things, on the Brexit negotiations, whether the UK stays in the European Economic Area and how the Government fills any policy gaps left by withdrawal.
Debate Pack
This pack has been prepared ahead of the Westminster Hall Debate initiated by Owen Thompson MP on Wednesday 29 June 2016, 4.30pm - 5.30pm.
Research Briefing
Briefing paper for the second reading of the Wales Bill 2016-17.
Research Briefing
The Government has published a leaflet setting out its recommendation ahead of the referendum that the UK should remain a member of the EU; the leaflet will be delivered to every household in the UK. An e-petition critical of the Government's decision to publish the leaflet has received over 200,000 signatures and will be debated by the House of Commons on 9 May 2016.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing includes information about the timetable for the EU referendum campaign. It also includes information on the rules that apply to campaign activity.
Research Briefing
This note looks at the background to the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 which allowed political parties to draw up all-women shortlists of candidates for elections; and its extension. It gives details of Labour candidates selected through all-women shortlists and methods of positive action used by the main political parties to increase the number of women MPs.
Research Briefing
This Commons Briefing Paper provides information about the introduction of the new system of electoral registration (IER) in Great Britain and funding both for the transition period and to support a range of initiatives to increase the level of voter registration among under-registered groups, including students. Registration in Northern Ireland has been on an individual basis since 2002.
Research Briefing
This Briefing Paper provides information about the election petitions in Orkney and Shetland in 2015 and in Oldham East and Saddleworth in 2010. Details of the election petition procedure are also given.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library paper describes the devolution of electoral arrangements to Wales. The draft Wales Bill published on 20 October 2015 is the latest development in this process. The paper looks at developments since 2012 and discusses debates about the number of constituencies in Wales.
Research Briefing
This Briefing Paper gives an update on the Scotland Bill 2015-16 after Committee stage. No opposition amendments were made at Committee stage. The Government has produced substantive amendments of its own for Report.
Research Briefing
This briefing provides background information on the ten topics that may be considered by Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) at the November's Westminster sitting.
Research Briefing
The Commons Library's briefing note on the Scotland Bill 2015-16.
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