The 2024 general election was the first in the UK青瓜视频檚 history to be run under a system of voter ID. When heading to the polling station, people could only vote if they proved their identity first. This was the result of a law brought in in 2023 and that had already applied to local elections in England that year.

Using data from the , we tracked people eligible to vote between 2023 and 2024 and that 5% of people eligible to vote 青瓜视频� nearly 2 million people 青瓜视频� didn青瓜视频檛 own any recognised voter identification. This lack of ID was concentrated among poorer and less educated voters.

Of course, lacking photographic ID is not necessarily a permanent state. Some people will have been in the process of renewing passports and driving licences during this period. All of these people would also have been eligible for a voter authority certificate, a form of identification brought in with the new law 青瓜视频� although we found take up of these was low.

We found that around 0.5% of all voters reported being turned away at polling stations as a result of lacking ID in the local elections of 2023. We also found that four times as many people (around 2%) reported not voting because they knew they didn青瓜视频檛 have the right ID.

The equivalent figures were slightly lower at the general election of 2024, but a meaningful contingent still did not participate. Around 1.3% of electors 青瓜视频� or over half a million people 青瓜视频� were turned away or didn青瓜视频檛 show up at all because of voter identification requirements.

While administrative records can provide accurate numbers about how many people were turned away at the polling station, they tell us little about people who were discouraged from even trying to vote because they didn青瓜视频檛 have the right ID. So it is clear from our analysis that the impact of voter ID on turnout is likely larger than previous estimates based on polling station returns.

Who benefits?

We also found that the Conservatives were more likely to benefit from the voter ID law than other parties.

This is not surprising when we consider demographic factors. , Conservative voters are more likely to own ID, because they are more likely to be older and more affluent. Despite changes in social patterns of party support since the 2016 Brexit referendum, this pattern still holds true.

The types of identification which are allowed under the new law 青瓜视频� and especially the decision to allow older people but not younger people to use travel passes 青瓜视频� exacerbates these differences.

Who didn青瓜视频檛 have ID? 

The chart above shows the percentage lacking photo ID by general election vote intention, as measured in May 2023 (lighter bars) and May 2024 (shaded bars), shortly before the general election was called.

In 2024, only 2.4% of Conservative supporters were likely to not have photo ID, while 3.8% of Labour supporters and 4.1% of Reform supporters were lacking.

One notable difference is an increase in Liberal Democrats and non-voters with no photo identification in 2024, although this is almost entirely due to a change in the number of people supporting the Liberal Democrats or deciding not to vote rather than changes in people青瓜视频檚 actual ownership of ID.

Liberal Democrat voters had the lowest proportion of supporters without voter ID in 2023 (1.3%), but in 2024, the Liberal Democrat rate exceeded that of the Conservatives (2.9%).

There are still opportunities to posed by voter ID. Ahead of the next election the new government should extend the forms of identification allowed (especially for those younger than state pension age).

Improving public awareness around the law and the availability of voter authority certificates is another important step. There are also suggestions that a system of who don青瓜视频檛 have voter ID would be an option.

In an electorate of 49 million, if almost two million aren青瓜视频檛 able to vote because they don青瓜视频檛 have the right ID, there is a problem. Those interested in building trust in our democracy should consider not only minimising electoral fraud but reducing this number by as much as possible.

, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in Politics, and , Professor of Social and Political Science, and Principal Investigator of the British Election Study,

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青瓜视频�This lecture series honours him and marks a deepening relationship between our University and leading human rights barristers青瓜视频� chambers Garden Court North,青瓜视频� said Professor Eithne Quinn. 青瓜视频淒avid delivering the first lecture highlights his decades of investigations and reporting on the Hillsborough families' justice campaign. This event will expose the urgent need for the landmark 青瓜视频楬illsborough Law青瓜视频� and raise vital questions about legal reform.青瓜视频�

青瓜视频�Mark was many things 青瓜视频� a radical barrister, formidable advocate, opponent of the death penalty, lifelong socialist, student of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies at Cambridge, and Chelsea FC supporter 青瓜视频� but above all, a man of integrity, kindness, and wisdom," said Pete Weatherby KC from Garden Court Chambers. 青瓜视频滺e combined humanity with fierce intellectual commitment. Whether defending protesters or representing Hillsborough families, Mark gave everything to his clients."

青瓜视频�Mark is a much-missed friend and colleague, and I am glad that a lecture being held in his memory will highlight the importance of the Hillsborough Law - if was in place in 1989, the truth could not have been concealed. Those hiding it would have known they青瓜视频檇 be found out and prosecuted. This sophisticated bill has a clear purpose and should be urgently introduced.青瓜视频�

The event will take place at The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 Alliance Manchester Business School, followed by a drinks reception and buffet open to all attendees. To register for a free ticket, .

青瓜视频淥ur findings may also reflect Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky青瓜视频檚 recent public efforts to woo and flatter Trump as he takes the helm of Ukraine青瓜视频檚 most powerful ally,青瓜视频� added Henry Hale of George Washington University. 

Donald Trump has sparked controversy in the West with statements suggesting the US might scale back military support for Ukraine and focus on negotiating a peace deal, even if this compromises Ukraine青瓜视频檚 territorial integrity. These remarks have raised alarms in Kyiv and among NATO allies, as they potentially undermine Ukraine青瓜视频檚 ability to resist Russian aggression.

The study reveals that territorial integrity remains a non-negotiable priority for Ukrainians, with 57% agreeing that 青瓜视频渁ny peace agreement that does not restore the full territorial integrity of Ukraine is doomed to failure.青瓜视频� Despite Trump青瓜视频檚 claims of being a skilled negotiator, scepticism persists about whether his administration could achieve a deal acceptable to Ukraine and its Western allies.

The research underscores the delicate balance required to maintain Western unity in supporting Ukraine. As NATO and the EU closely monitor Trump青瓜视频檚 rhetoric, Ukraine remains steadfast in its demand for a peace deal that ensures sovereignty and territorial integrity.

青瓜视频淭he Ukrainian public青瓜视频檚 cautious optimism reflects a mix of hope and pragmatism,青瓜视频� Professor Onuch added. 青瓜视频淎s Trump and his new administration navigate these complex dynamics, the stakes for Ukraine and the West couldn青瓜视频檛 be higher.青瓜视频�

That青瓜视频檚 according to a new peer-reviewed paper which is the latest to raise concerns about the competition青瓜视频檚 Owners' and Directors' Test 青瓜视频� colloquially known as the 青瓜视频楩it and Proper青瓜视频� test 青瓜视频� saying 青瓜视频渃omplex and opaque structures permit the misuse of EPL club ownership for the channelling of illicit finances青瓜视频�.

Criminology experts from The University of Manchester, who led the study, say their findings demonstrate 青瓜视频渃onditions which are known to be associated with the use of organisational structures for illicit activities in the ownership structures of many EPL clubs青瓜视频�.

Such conditions include the 青瓜视频渨idespread use of various legal entities and traditional 青瓜视频榮ecrecy青瓜视频� jurisdictions青瓜视频� that can hide who owners and investors are, as well as the presence of unnecessarily complex arrangements, and an absence of information on who all the owners actually are.

They state the current Owners青瓜视频� and Directors青瓜视频� Test does not do enough to prevent potential new owners and investors from withholding the source of their funds, 青瓜视频渨hich could be from illicit activities青瓜视频�.

The test, they state, also does not prevent investors from concealing 青瓜视频渢he nature of particular transactions, which could involve violations青瓜视频�, nor obscuring the 青瓜视频渁ctual investors or owners of clubs, who may be unscrupulous actors looking to conceal their illicit funds or intentions青瓜视频�.

Reporting in the journal , co-author Nicholas Lord, a Professor of Criminology at Manchester青瓜视频檚 School of Social Sciences, says these enabling conditions require further 青瓜视频渟crutiny by responsible regulators青瓜视频�.

青瓜视频淭he obscuring of transparency around the ownership chains and networks presents significant obstacles to regulators seeking to assess the suitability of individuals and owners for football club ownership.

青瓜视频淭he conditions of EPL (English Premier League) ownership structures in itself does not imply anything inappropriate is taking place, but these conditions make it possible for some people, who may be motivated to do so, to use ownership structures to obscure key information.

青瓜视频淭he conditions we found are known to be associated with the use of organisational structures for illicit activities, such as money laundering, and are reflected in the ownership structures of many EPL clubs.青瓜视频�

Co-author Dr Pete Duncan, who recently completed his PhD in the Department of Criminology, adds: 青瓜视频�12 of the 20 clubs have at least 10% of their holdings, which 青瓜视频� due to secrecy provisions 青瓜视频� cannot be formally traced back to their beneficial owners. 

The experts launched their study 青瓜视频渕otivated by recent concerns regarding links between football and illicit finance青瓜视频�.

They searched the academic literature to identify conditions regularly observed in cases of money laundering and illicit financial management. They then collected and analysed data from the ORBIS portal (a database of over 489 million companies from 170 sources) and the 2023/24 EPL Handbook to qualitatively determine whether club ownership structures 青瓜视频渟hared common conditions with structures which enable the management of illicit finance青瓜视频�. The aim was to examine whether conditions that are often present in cases of illicit financial flows could also generate 青瓜视频渢he potential for illicit financial management through EPL clubs青瓜视频�.

They also assessed the ownership structures of each club, noting down the number of corporate or other non-natural person entities in each club ownership chain; the incorporation of holding companies in non-UK jurisdictions; the number and types of different legal entities composing each club青瓜视频檚 organisational structure; and whether over 90% of holdings in each club could be attributed to natural persons. They then extracted the 青瓜视频榮ecrecy score青瓜视频� measure of the 2022 Financial Secrecy Index for each related jurisdiction used from the Tax Justice Network青瓜视频檚 (2022) webpage.

Findings demonstrate that Manchester United had the greatest number of legal entities in its ownership chain (13), followed by Crystal Palace and Manchester City (both 11).

Also, the experts found 14 clubs have at least one corporate entity in the structure incorporated overseas (including in Jersey). When considered proportionally, Bournemouth, Wolves and Liverpool are the clubs with the greatest proportions of their ownership structures made up of overseas-based corporate or other legal entities 青瓜视频� where most score relatively highly on the TJN青瓜视频檚 青瓜视频榮ecrecy score青瓜视频� scale.

青瓜视频淲hilst it might be understandable for an overseas beneficial owner to own an EPL club via a holding company incorporated in the overseas jurisdiction they reside in, the combined use of multiple secrecy jurisdictions and opaque entity types that ultimately result in the obscuring of true beneficial ownership is concerning,青瓜视频� adds Dr Duncan, whose PhD examined the nature, organisation, and regulation of variably illicit tax minimisation in UK professional football.

青瓜视频淭he use of these varied ownership mechanisms and structures makes it challenging to differentiate between sources of legal or illegal finances and wealth, whilst the creation of complex arrangements that are inherently legal and commercially plausible offers great scope to co-mingle both legal and illegal activities.

青瓜视频淚t is these structures that should be scrutinised most closely by regulators and other stakeholders.青瓜视频�

Professor Lord concludes: 青瓜视频淲hat is certain is that such complicated ownership structures are not strictly necessary to run a successful EPL club.

青瓜视频淢any structures do not simply extend beyond what is strictly necessary in a single dimension, but in fact combine multiple enabling conditions in the construction of seemingly anomalous structures青瓜视频�.

Whilst such structures and arrangements can be used for good reason in business, what should be a concern for football stakeholders and law enforcement, is that the seemingly unnecessarily complex and opaque structures identified in this research could permit the misuse of EPL club ownership for the channelling of illicit finances.

青瓜视频淎ny exposure to illicit financial flows could seriously jeopardise the futures of clubs, which would have serious negative consequences for those most attached to these very important institutions.

青瓜视频淔urthermore, opaque ownership structures make it difficult for football regulators to ensure that regulations regarding multi-club ownership are being complied with.青瓜视频�

Dr Duncan and Professor Lord recommend that future regulation involves mapping the structures of teams to identify conditions that are susceptible to misuse.

They also suggest further research on the topic, such as to analyse in what ways football club ownership structures have been misused for illicit financial flows, and how these behaviours are organised.

One limitation of their paper is that extracted ownership data originated from varying financial years, meaning some were not 青瓜视频榣ive青瓜视频�.

青瓜视频淕ary Younge青瓜视频檚 ability to probe complex issues with humanity, depth and wit is unparalleled,青瓜视频� said Professor Claire Alexander, Head of the School of Social Sciences at The University of Manchester. 青瓜视频淲e are thrilled to see his remarkable contributions to journalism recognised on this global stage.青瓜视频�

Professor Younge will be formally presented with the award at a ceremony in New York City later this year. 

The Horizon scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters, has severely dented the public青瓜视频檚 perception of the Post Office as an institution. Against this backdrop, across the Post Office network.

These further cuts to a system already struggling can only do further harm to the sense that well-resourced public services could and should play a central role in everyday life.

In my , I spoke to people about their thoughts on the Post Office and their ideas about the future of society more generally. One interviewee relished their trips to Manchester青瓜视频檚 now-closed crown post office at Spring Gardens and described it, with only a little irony, as 青瓜视频渢he cathedral of post青瓜视频�.

They loved the way it revealed something of the workings of a larger, complex and world-spanning system of communication. They also liked to daydream about how it would be to live in a society oriented towards a more community-focused, village-like way of life.

My work looks at these speculative dimensions of social life 青瓜视频� the way hopes, dreams and desires for other ways of living are expressed by people now. These speculative dimensions have a political significance 青瓜视频� they tell us something about the forms of social organisation people yearn for, and what frustrates them about our current way of living. Understanding how public infrastructures influence these frustrations and desires is a key focus of my research.

The infrastructures which facilitate social life also send signals to us about how society is organised, what青瓜视频檚 valued and powerful within it, and what seems likely to be valued in the future. They help structure our ideas about what society is and what it could be like.

In the case of the Post Office, the Horizon scandal demonstrates how the consequences can be severe and dystopian when something malfunctions within a key institution of this kind.

Historically, the Post Office played a key role in developing infrastructures of modern life that came to be cherished. Key among these, as historian has noted, is routine engagement with paid officials of the state, through Post Office staff and postal delivery workers, or 青瓜视频減osties青瓜视频�.

Speaking to Post Office workers and posties has long been among the most positively regarded interactions that an ordinary person routinely has with state infrastructures. Local post offices and posties have represented valued senses of local knowledge, community overwatch and benevolent officialdom.

Crown post offices (the larger branches in the network), often inhabiting a significant spot in a town or city centre, have done their bit too, contributing a sense of civic importance to a place, alongside libraries and town halls. They have provided access to a professional, knowledgeable human interface between a complex system of multiple state services, and those who rely on them.

But our positive engagements with this state system have been placed under decades of increasing strain. Privatisation has flowed from a creeping rejection of the idea that publicly owned public services could ever function beautifully. This, in turn, has left the services we need on a daily basis under-resourced.

The condition of crown post offices has reflected this. Their interiors often emanate a stark sense of minimal upkeep and only grudging repair. Already, many crown post offices have been closed. Where their services have not fully disappeared, they have been precariously relegated to space in retailers such as WH Smiths.

Meanwhile, the way we communicate, shop and socialise has been altering dramatically. Digital communication technology is impressing itself ever further into our social lives. Technology has deeply embedded associations with the future, but with this also comes a sense of unavoidability. The way AI is spoken about, as something set to bring inevitable and consequential transformations of our lives 青瓜视频� whether we like it or not 青瓜视频� is a case in point.

Both of these things 青瓜视频� the neglect of physical places where we interact with state services and the increasing technologisation of social life 青瓜视频� contribute to a growing sense of anachronism about places like the post office. The idea that a public service might attend to the public good in a well-appointed, pleasant, urban public setting feels, for no good reason, like a relic of the past.

All this affects the ways we imagine social futures. It brings a false air of inevitability to the loss of things people still need and care deeply about.

When talking with users of post offices for my research, there was a simultaneous sense among them that posties and post offices contributed vital resources to everyday life, and that technology meant these things were not likely to survive much further into the future. This was often regarded as something to be accepted, even as it was acknowledged that what was going to be lost was something important and irreplaceable.

But such losses are not inevitable. They are a political choice built on two key failures 青瓜视频� failure to challenge the idea that well-funded, publicly owned and run public services are unaffordable, and failure to envisage ways of organising public services in the digital age, such that they retain the vital material contributions they make to places.

Further losses to the crown post office network would represent a sad and, I believe, unnecessary extension of these failures.

, Research Assistant, School of Social Sciences,
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青瓜视频淭he appointment of the first Professor of Comparative and Ukrainian Politics is long overdue in the English speaking world and is a major milestone, not only for the Ukrainian community in the UK but also globally,青瓜视频� said Anna Dezyk MBE, Deputy Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB). 青瓜视频淧rofessor Onuch's enthusiasm and extensive expertise in this area provides a fantastic platform for the study of Ukrainian Politics to finally move out of the shadows and take its rightful place in academia.青瓜视频�

青瓜视频淭he University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 creation of this post could not have come at a more relevant time, and the appointment of Professor Olga Onuch could not be more appropriate and richly deserved,青瓜视频� said Leigh Gibson OBE, Ukraine Director for the British Council. 青瓜视频淲e look forward to continuing our collaboration with Olga and her department to understand more about the role young people have played in the development of Ukraine as a democratic nation, and the critical contribution they will make to recovery and rebuilding in the future.青瓜视频�

"It has never been more important for Ukraine to be genuinely understood and appreciated internationally," said Volodymyr Sheiko, Director General of the Ukrainian Institute. "Much of the knowledge about Ukraine, its history, politics, and culture emerges from leading academic institutions to inform public policies, curricula, and public opinion. Academic excellence makes our societies better informed and more resilient. The appointment of Olga Onuch as the first Professor of Ukrainian Politics in the English-speaking world is a crucial milestone to achieve this. I am confident that Olga青瓜视频檚 profound experience and expertise will set a high standard for others to follow.青瓜视频�

青瓜视频淭his important report demonstrates that the very low number of Black and minority ethnic judges poses an acute challenge to the credibility and legitimacy of the judiciary,青瓜视频� said Stephanie Needleman from . 青瓜视频淚t is only by creating a critical mass of diverse judges that we can ensure that our judiciary is reflective of society and begin to combat the racism witnessed by survey respondents.青瓜视频�  

青瓜视频淲e welcome, and are grateful to have been consulted on, this hard-hitting report,青瓜视频� said former Judge Claire Gilham from the 青瓜视频淢y whistleblowing about racism was dismissed as me not understanding judicial culture, having come from the wrong background. There is no internal data keeping for equality complaints, which makes it very difficult for the judiciary to provide any evidence to deny the findings of this report. A severe shake-up of the system is needed.青瓜视频�  

青瓜视频淓ven after 25 years as a Trade Union Official, I am shocked at the practices employed in the appointment and promotion of judges,青瓜视频� said Stuart Fegan from GMB. 青瓜视频淭he Judiciary is funded with public money, and the practices identified would simply not be tolerated anywhere else in the public sector. I am delighted that Labour have committed to review appointment and promotion procedures if they win the next election in order to ensure that judges are reflective of the public they serve.青瓜视频�