A democracy organisation that observes elections to improve democracy will not be watching the Makerfield by-election because its senior staff are on holiday.
Background of Democracy Volunteers
Democracy Volunteers caused a stir during the Gorton and Denton by-election after they published claims of major concerns over family voting, where family members enter a voting booth together and collude on voting intentions. The claims were picked up by Nigel Farage after Reform candidate Matt Goodwin was beaten by the Green Party's Hannah Spencer by more than 4,000 votes.
Mr Farage claimed the vote was a victory for sectarian voting and cheating and referred the report to Greater Manchester Police. GMP later released a statement stating they found no evidence of any intent to influence or refrain any person from voting.
Group's Response and Future Plans
The organisation, which describes itself as an impartial observer of elections, later released a statement saying it had learnt lessons from the Gorton and Denton by-election but stood by their observations, which they say use a different evidential threshold than police.
None of the volunteers will be present to oversee the Makerfield vote on Thursday, June 18, despite it being touted as one of the most important by-elections in years in both national and international press. The vote will see Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham go toe-to-toe with Reform's Rob Kenyon. Should Mr Burnham win, he may launch a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer to become Prime Minister.
Defending the decision, the group's director John Ault said: We're a small organisation, we don't observe every election, and in this case we won't be there. A senior staff member is away on holiday this Thursday, but we'll be attending important future by-elections.
Asked whether they thought this by-election did not merit observation, given its national importance, he added: In our view, every election is important. We're a non-partisan organisation and our job is to observe and make sure the democratic process is carried out correctly. In that sense this election is no different from any other.
