Sunny ‘Liberal Conspiracy’ Hundal is organising a follow-up to 2008′s successful ‘Blog Nation’ event. Details over at Liberal Conspiracy, but Sunny asks what we’d like to discuss; below the fold, then, are some thoughts. In terms of logistics, I would make three suggestions. Given the layout, it’s important that each table isn’t talking amongst itself [...]

Shortly, white smoke will appear over a building in a European capital and, apparently after having checked that the incumbent has testicles, a new political figure will be anointed with little formal power but great powers of influence and suggestion. Not habemus papam, but habemus praesidentem consilium europeum1. As you may be aware, I am [...]

Dear Nick (if I may call you that), I’ve been thinking about the next election. There seems to be a decent chance that there will be a hung parliament. It is, of course, possible that one party will be so close to an overall majority that they will form an alliance with one of the [...]

In and amongst all the debates about reforming the electoral system, I’d like to flag up one that I particularly like. It’s simple, cheap and effective – Re-Open Nominations (RON). The idea is very simple. On every ballot paper, at the bottom, is a candidate called RON. If RON wins, nominations are re-opened and the [...]

Political wonks will be familiar, at the bottom of every piece of election literature (including stickers and t-shirts), with an imprint along the lines of Printed and promoted by Anne Agent on behalf of Can D’Date, both of 29 Acacia Avenue, Dandytown. I believe that’s a requirement under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act [...]

Ahead of tomorrow’s poll, I thought it might be useful to look at who’s still in the race for the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Runners and riders come below the fold along with a brief comment from me.

Just doing some working out for a blog post and I thought this might be useful to record. I believe it’s all right. Country Governing Party Europarty Austria SDP PES Belgium CD&V EPP Bulgaria Socialist PES Cyprus Communist Nordic Green Left Czech Republic Civic Platform EC&R Denmark Venstre ALDE Estonia Reform ALDE Finland SDP PES [...]

Norm Coleman has conceded victory to Al Franken in the Minnesota senate race after eight months of recounts and litigation, as reported by the Star Tribune. It has been obvious for some time that Franken was going to have the election given to him; delaying by Coleman was to keep the GOP’s ability to filibuster [...]

Today will see the writ moved for the by-election in Norwich North where Dr Ian Gibson has resigned. In advance of the poll on 23rd July, the Universities & Colleges Union have commissioned a poll that makes interesting reading. The headlines are, with my comments underneath: Half of people aged 18-34 (48% of people aged [...]