United Kingdom - News Archive

UK deputy leaders calls for 2011 political reform

Posted: 07/05/2010
Deputy Prime Minister Nick CLEGG on Monday outlined his proposal to reform Britain's electoral system in a referendum proposed for May 5, 2011. CLEGG’S proposal would switch from first-past-the-post to the Alternative Vote (AV) system and, in a concession to Conservative Party coalition partners, decrease the number of MPs and adjust district boundaries in order to redress alleged malapportionment. Also known as instant runoff or ranked choice voting, AV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes, losing candidates are eliminated, and votes for those candidates are reallocated to voters’ next ranked choices. A referendum on a new electoral system was one of the key demands of CLEGG’s Liberal Democrats during negotiations to form a government. CLEGG’s coalition partner, Prime Minister David CAMERON, opposes the proposed system, but agreed to allow a referendum.

Source: ElectionGuide

UK deputy leaders calls for 2011 political reform

Posted: 07/05/2010
Deputy Prime Minister Nick CLEGG on Monday outlined his proposal to reform Britain's electoral system in a referendum proposed for May 5, 2011. CLEGG’S proposal would switch from first-past-the-post to the Alternative Vote (AV) system and, in a concession to Conservative Party coalition partners, decrease the number of MPs and adjust district boundaries in order to redress alleged malapportionment. Also known as instant runoff or ranked choice voting, AV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes, losing candidates are eliminated, and votes for those candidates are reallocated to voters’ next ranked choices. A referendum on a new electoral system was one of the key demands of CLEGG’s Liberal Democrats during negotiations to form a government. CLEGG’s coalition partner, Prime Minister David CAMERON, opposes the proposed system, but agreed to allow a referendum.

Source: ElectionGuide

Conservatives And Liberal Democrats Form Coalition

Posted: 05/13/2010
David CAMERON became the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister on Tuesday, when his Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats agreed to form a coalition government. The deal will make Liberal Democrat leader Nick CLEGG the Deputy Prime Minister and give several ministerial posts to his party. The two parties will also work together on electoral reform, although the details have not been finalized. The Conservatives agreed to hold a referendum on the alternative vote (AV) for the House of Commons, while the Liberal Democrats agreed to reducing the number of MPs and rewriting the rules for drawing constituency boundaries. According to a Wednesday press release from Britain's leading voting reform organization, the coalition has also promised direct elections to the House of Lords under a proportional system. Electoral reform was a key demand of the Liberal Democrats, and it figured prominently in their coalition talks with both Labour and the Conservatives. Liberal leaders prefer that the referendum happen in time for any change to take effect by the next election.

Source: ElectionGuide

UK parties thought to be nearing deal

Posted: 05/11/2010
The leaders of Britain's Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties hold further coalition talks, with Labour now thought to be sidelined.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

If Parliament Hangs, Queen Could Veto Fresh Election

Posted: 05/05/2010
In a peculiarly British way, Queen Elizabeth II could be cast in a central, yet largely powerless, role if Britain's elections on Thursday stray into the gray zone known as a hung parliament.

Read full story. Source: NYT > World

Liberal Democrat Relishes Central Role in Race

Posted: 05/05/2010
Nick Clegg is the leader of the newly insurgent party that has thrown a wrench into conventional British politics as the country prepares for its general election on Thursday.

Read full story. Source: NYT > World

Scottish Parliament Wants PR For Whole UK

Posted: 04/29/2010
Members of the Scottish Parliament voted 54-41 on Thursday in favor of a motion urging Westminster to adopt the single transferable vote (STV) for national elections. Electoral reform has been a key issue in the run-up to British Parliamentary elections on May 6. Prime Minister Gordon BROWN'S Labour Party has said that, if returned to power, it will hold a 2011 referendum on the alternative vote (AV). With the unusually high likelihood of a hung Parliament, however, Liberal Democrat MPs may be critical to forming a government, and there is speculation that Leader Nick CLEGG will demand a move toward proportional representation (PR) in return for their support. Both AV and STV are ranked voting systems, but STV is a proportional system, while AV is a majoritarian formula based on single-seat constituencies. Scottish voters use two proportional systems: STV for local councils and a mixed-member formula to elect their Parliament. Three of five parties currently holding seats in that body support PR for Westminster: the Scottish National Party, Liberal Democrats, and Greens.

Source: ElectionGuide

Tory arguments against electoral reform

Posted: 04/27/2010
Writing at LSE's Election Experts blog, Francoise Boucek takes on the arguments made by the UK Conservatives against electoral reform and "hung" (balanced) parliaments. She expresses surprise that a mixed-member proportional model–already used in Scotland, Wales, and London–is not more prominent in the discussions.

Read full story. Source: Fruits and Votes

UK Reform Vote Now Depends On Uncertain Election Result

Posted: 04/09/2010
British Prime Minister Gordon BROWN on Thursday promised far-reaching electoral reforms if voters return his Labour Party to power, but critics say the promise is too little too late. Spokespeople for the Liberal Democrats, the UK's third largest party, and major electoral reform groups argue BROWN should have sought legislation authorizing a promised 2011 referendum before calling elections scheduled for May 6. Some media have reported that the pledge is meant to woo Liberal Democrats into a coalition government in the event that voters seat a hung Parliament. BROWN'S proposals include switching from plurality elections to the Alternative Vote, mandating fixed four-year terms for Members of Parliament, replacing the House of Lords with an elected Senate, and formalizing the British constitution. The Conservative Party opposes said changes, opting instead for reform of boundary delimitation rules. Next month's election is likely to be the UK's most competitive since 1992, with opinion polls suggesting no clear winner.

Source: ElectionGuide

Commons OKs Voting Reform Referendum

Posted: 02/10/2010
Members of Parliament on Tuesday approved legislation to hold an electoral reform referendum by October 2011. The bill passed the Commons by 365 to 187 votes. It must now pass the House of Lords before the present Parliament expires. The referendum will ask voters whether first-past-the-post elections should be replaced with the alternative vote (AV), also known as instant runoff voting (IRV). Under AV, candidates must win by majorities, and voters are asked to rank choices. Critics say Prime Minster Gordon BROWN'S Labour-led government wants to solicit Liberal Democrats' support for a minority government in anticipation of a difficult election this spring. Britain's Electoral Reform Society calls AV a "very minor reform," noting that New Labour promised a referendum on proportional representation (PR) in 1997. The Commons earlier rejected 476-69 a Liberal Democratic Member's amendment calling for a referendum on PR sooner than October 2011.

Source: ElectionGuide

British Government Promises Voting Reform Referendum

Posted: 02/02/2010
Prime Minister Gordon BROWN this week said his government will propose legislation authorizing a referendum on the British electoral system. If the House of Commons agrees, the vote would be in October 2011, well after Parliamentary elections that are due by June 2010. The proposed Alternative Vote system (AV), also known as Instant Runoff Voting, would preserve single-seat constituencies and have voters rank choices in order of preference. Opponents have variously criticized the proposal as a move to buy Liberal Democrats' support for a minority government and an attempt to change the voting system in anticipation of election defeat. One study, however, indicates that AV's ultimate beneficiary would be unclear, and another claims the Conservative Party is most likely to benefit. Britain's Electoral Reform Society has publicly endorsed the possible referendum as "a stepping stone" to farther reaching change.

Source: ElectionGuide

UK Labour Promises Vote On Electoral Reform

Posted: 09/29/2009
In a new Labour Party manifesto released on Tuesday, Prime Minister Gordon BROWN pledged a referendum on electoral reform if voters return his party to the majority in Parliamentary elections due by June 2010. Labour has lagged behind the Conservatives in most opinion polls over the last 12 months. Reform activists, including a coalition of minor parties, are critical of the referendum promise on several counts. They argue the proposed move from first-past-the-post (FPP) elections to the alternative vote, rather than to proportional representation (PR), will not significantly change legislative dynamics in the UK. Many doubt Labour's commitment to the referendum, moreover, noting that the party could pass reforms now, while in the majority, rather than wait for a new mandate. Further, they note that Labour promised a referendum on proportional representation in 1997, which it did not hold. Conservatives in Britain, expected by many to win the next elections, remain officially committed to the FPP system, though a splinter group supports PR.

Source: ElectionGuide

Electoral Reform Tops UK Agenda

Posted: 06/11/2009
In a statement to Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Gordon BROWN signaled interest in a referendum on whether Britain should abandon first-past-the-post elections for an "alternative vote plus" (AV+) system. Health Secretary Alan JOHNSON in a May 25 op-ed called on the Labour Party to renew a 1997 platform commitment to electoral reform, arguing a new voting system would end the exclusive focus on marginal constituencies and prevent plurality-winning parties from winning less than pluralities of seats. Under AV+, voters in single-member districts would rank choices in order of preference, and candidates would need majorities of votes to win seats. A second group of seats would be allocated under proportional representation in order to make parties’ seat shares roughly equal to their overall vote shares.

Source: ElectionGuide

Hit Hard Again, Brown Stays in the Ring

Posted: 06/09/2009
After the Labor Party' worst showing in elections for the European Parliament, Britain's prime minister pledged to abandon the "bunker mentality."

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

Europe Vote Deepens Gloom for Brown

Posted: 06/08/2009
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced a new and major challenge Monday, with disastrous European election results that could amplify calls for his ouster.

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

Brown defies calls to step down as British premier

Posted: 06/05/2009
LONDON (AP) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown clung fiercely to his job Friday, defying calls from some within his beleaguered Labour party to resign....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

British Labour Government In Crisis

Posted: 06/05/2009
Work and Pensions Secretary James PURNELL has called on Prime Minister Gordon BROWN to resign his leadership of the Labour Party. PURNELL is the third Minister to leave BROWN’s cabinet in advance of elections due by June 2010. Several polls put Labour at up to 20 points behind the Conservatives, which have been in opposition since 1997.Poll respondents point to a scandal over legislators’ misuse of expense accounts and Britain’s worst recession since World War II. Several analysts believe Labour’s crisis may catalyze party interest in electoral reform, noting growing interest in moving from first-past-the-post elections to an alternative vote system.

Source: ElectionGuide

British Minister Quits, Dealing New Blow to Brown

Posted: 06/04/2009
The resignation of the communities secretary deepened the disarray surrounding Gordon Brown's government.

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

British Premier Urges Reforms of Parliament

Posted: 06/01/2009
Amid a scandal over expense accounts, Gordon Brown said he would seek to end legislators' right to set their own pay.

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

UK opposition leader Cameron outlines reforms

Posted: 05/26/2009
LONDON (AP) -- Britain's top opposition leader proposed a radical redistribution of power on Tuesday as a way to restore faith in government following a scandal over the misuse of public funds....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

UK Commons speaker steps down over expense scandal

Posted: 05/19/2009
LONDON (AP) -- The powerful speaker of the British House of Commons resigned Tuesday because of a backlash over excessive expense claims by lawmakers, marking the first time in three centuries a speaker has been forced out....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

British lawmakers call on Commons speaker to quit

Posted: 05/18/2009
LONDON (AP) -- A group of British lawmakers urged the speaker of the House of Commons on Monday to quit over his handling of legislators' excessive expenses claims, hoping to oust a speaker for the first time in more than 300 years....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

British Prime Minister Opts Not to Have Elections in November

Posted: 10/08/2007
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision was apparently prompted by the success of the Conservative Party's annual conference.

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

Britain's Brown may call October election: Times

Posted: 08/01/2007
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Gordon Brown, enjoying a lengthy political honeymoon after taking over as prime minister in June, may call an election as early as October to cash in on opinion poll gains, The Times newspaper said on Wednesday.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Emotional Blair bids farewell

Posted: 06/27/2007
Gordon Brown will receive the keys to 10 Downing Street on Thursday, as outgoing UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is appointed as a peace envoy to the Middle East. (Full story)

Read full story. Source: CNN.com - WORLD

Blair resigns from Prime Minister Office

Posted: 06/27/2007
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair officially resigned on Wednesday June 27 after 10 years in office. He steps down in the middle of his third consecutive term to make way for fellow party member, Gordon Brown.

Source: ElectionGuide

Britain's Brown pledges new style of government

Posted: 05/17/2007
LONDON (Reuters) - Gordon Brown, confirmed on Thursday as Britain's next prime minister, promised a new style of government to rebuild trust in a demoralized and unpopular Labour Party after a decade of Tony Blair.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair bows out after 10 years

Posted: 05/10/2007
TRIMDON (Reuters) - Tony Blair announced on Thursday he would step down on June 27 after a decade as prime minister and told Britons disillusioned by the war in Iraq that he had always done what he believed was right.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair will stand down on 27 June

Posted: 05/10/2007
Tony Blair says it has been an "honour" to lead the "greatest nation on earth" as he names the day he will step down.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Premier Tony Blair to step down on June 27

Posted: 05/10/2007
Prime Minister Tony BLAIR has announced that he will step down as leader of the Labor Party on June 27 thus ending his 10-year time in office.  A new leader of the Labor will be known by June 24, though the clear favorite is Chancellor Gordon BROWN. Following the announcement, the opposition Liberal Democrats submitted a motion urging the Queen to call snap general elections.

Source: ElectionGuide

Blair says no UK referendum on new EU treaty: report

Posted: 04/19/2007
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will not hold a referendum on a new European Union treaty, Prime Minister Tony Blair said in an interview published on Friday.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair vows not to quit despite probe uproar

Posted: 02/02/2007
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed on Friday not to quit before British police finished a political funding investigation, despite growing alarm in his Labour party over the damage the probe is inflicting on the government.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

UK's Blair to tell successor to broaden appeal

Posted: 09/26/2006
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair will urge his ruling Labour Party on Tuesday to focus on winning re-election, hoping to end a succession row that has overshadowed its annual conference.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Brown stakes claim to be UK's next prime minister

Posted: 09/25/2006
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Finance Minister Gordon Brown staked his claim to be Britain's next prime minister on Monday, seeking to dispel growing doubts about whether he is the right man to lead the country.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Succession fever to dog UK's Blair when party meets

Posted: 09/21/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Tony Blair will give his final speech to the ruling Labour Party's annual conference next week with succession fever set to dominate a meeting that may determine when the prime minister quits.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair to stand firm in face of party mutiny

Posted: 05/08/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair was set to defy calls on Monday to name a date for his departure as he seeks to quell mounting unrest in his Labour Party that threatens to destabilize the government.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair sacrifices top ministers after poll losses

Posted: 05/05/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair sacrificed two top ministers in a major cabinet shakeup on Friday after his Labour Party recorded one of its worst defeats in a local election since coming to power in 1997.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Scandal-hit Blair government faces election test

Posted: 05/04/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - Britons voted in local council elections on Thursday amid a storm of sleaze and incompetence allegations that could damage the ruling Labour Party and even affect how much longer British Prime Minister Tony Blair stays in power.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Blair set to soldier on despite likely poll losses

Posted: 05/02/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's ruling Labor Party looks set for a drubbing in local authority elections this week but only a real disaster could shake leader Tony Blair from soldiering on as prime minister.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Britain's Blair faces pressure to go in sleaze row

Posted: 03/20/2006
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced growing pressure on Monday to step down over a sleaze row which has tarnished his reputation and boosted calls for finance minister Gordon Brown to take the reins.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

United Kingdom Announces General Election Results

Posted: 05/12/2005
Tony Blair’s Labor Party won the May 5 general election with a margin of victory of 66, down from 167 in 2001. This victory makes Tony Blair the only Labor leader to have won three elections in a row. The only other post-war prime minister to have won three successive general elections was Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) from the Conservative Party. The Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004, which reduced the number of Scottish constituencies in the UK parliament by 13, has also come into effect with this parliamentary term. The UK parliament now has 646 seats instead of 659. The reduction was seen as a means of restoring parity with the English seats following the establishment in 1999 of a Scottish Parliament with devolved powers.   

Source: ElectionGuide

UK Announces General Election Date of May 5, 2005

Posted: 04/06/2005
Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that general elections in Britain will take place on May 5, 2005.  Some of the main issues in these elections include the economy and Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war.

Source: ElectionGuide

UK Announces Results of General Election

Posted: 06/08/2001
The Labour Party retained its majority in parliament in the June 7th general election, thus ensuring Tony Blair's second term as prime minister.  This election represents the first time that the Labour Party has won two consecutive majorities in parliamentary elections.  As of June 8th, results show the Labour Party with 413 seats in the new parliament, the Conservative Party with 166 seats, the Liberal Democrats with 52 seats and other parties with 28 seats.

Source: ElectionGuide

UK Announces Date of Parliamentary Elections

Posted: 05/11/2001
On May 8, 2001, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that Parliamentary Electionsin the UK will be held on June 7, 2001.  Local elections in England and Wales will also take place on June 7th.

Source: ElectionGuide

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