Most people in the UK would take pride in the fact that whatever your political persuasion you can take part in free and fair elections. But two new reports suggest that this right isn’t always all it seems.
The Electoral Commission – the government’s own watchdog – has warned that hundreds of thousands of people could be excluded from voting the next time the country goes to the polls because of new laws on voter ID. 4% of those who didn’t vote in the local council elections in May told the Commission that ID was an issue for them, and that figure rose for those who were from minority backgrounds, younger voters and people with disabilities.
And when we do vote? Well a new report by Institute For Government and the Bennett Institute For Public Policy concludes that many people feel disempowered, not least because our first past the post system means that many who vote for smaller parties can feel their vote has been wasted.
Adrian Goldberg hears from Byline Times political editor Adam Bienkov, Dr Jess Garland, Director of Research and Policy for the Electoral Reform Society Shaun Roberts, Director of Campaigns, at Unlock Democracy.
Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.
Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.
Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.
8 Sept 2023
Pitch Battle - Saudi Sportswashing and Newcastle United
On the weekend that this podcast is released, Saudi Arabia will be playing two international football matches at Newcastle United’s St James Park, against Costa Rica and South Korea - but the results won’t really matter, and not just because the games are friendlies.
Critics say that whatever the final scores, the despotic regime of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) will already have won, simply by virtue of being allowed to host such prestigious games at a venerated English football stadium.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund bought Newcastle in 2021, which many observers regarded as a classic case of "sportswashing"; a regime notorious for human rights abuses seeking to create a more positive image for itself. The staging of these friendlies is being seen as another step towards the 'normalisation' of a state renowned for its human rights abuses.
Ahead of the Saudi friendlies, Adrian Goldberg travelled to St James Park to meet John Hird, a lifelong Newcastle United fan and founder of NUFC Against Sportswashing, and Lina Al Hathloul, from Saudi human rights organisation ALQST.
Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.
Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.
Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.
28 Aug 2023
ULEZ Expansion
London is about to have the world’s largest pollution charging area, as the capital’s outer suburbs are added to the inner city Ultra Low Emission Zone - ULEZ. Drivers of vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards will be charged £12.50 a day – with motorists facing the threat of a £180 fine if they don’t comply.
ULEZ expansion was widely regarded as a key factor in the Conservatives holding onto Boris Johnson’s old Uxbridge seat in a recent by election; and unlike in other English cities the government is refusing to fund a scrappage scheme for non compliant cars. That's led to claims by London Mayor Sadiq Khan that they are weaponising air pollution.
Adrian Goldberg hears from mum of two Parisa Wright from Bromley, the founder of the charity Greener and Cleaner; and Oli Lord, Head of Strategy at Clean Cities Campaign UK.
Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.
Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.
Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.
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