Our team interviews for Conservative MP Edward Timpson, winner of the 2008 Crewe and Nantwich By-Election. The seat became vacant on the death of Gwyneth Dunwoody who had been the local MP since 1974. Timpson’s victory in the by-election was the first Conservative gain in a parliamentary by-election since 1982 and the first from the Labour Party since 1978. At the time, Gordon Brown had replaced Tony Blair as Prime Minister and it was the first by-election gain under future Prime Minister David Cameron’s leadership of the Conservative Party.

The Guardian said 'Gordon Brown is facing the gravest crisis of his premiership after David Cameron led the Tories to their first byelection gain in a quarter of a century this morning, on a 17.6% swing that would sweep the party into Downing Street. In one of the most humiliating setbacks to Labour since the era of Michael Foot.'

The BBC's Nick Robinson said 'Be in no doubt. If David Cameron becomes prime minister many will look back at the vote in Crewe and Nantwich as the moment they first believed it was possible.'

Famous By-Elections: Edward Timpson and Crewe & Nantwich 2008

As part of our first series of “Famous By-Elections” our team interviews Douglas Carswell who contested the 2014 Clacton By-Election. The by-election was called when Carswell resigned his seat as a Conservative MP to become a UKIP MP.

Talking about the campaign, his decision to resign his seat causing a by-election and how it affected his electoral future are all part of the discussion in this fascinating interview.

Famous By-elections: Douglas Carswell and Clacton 2014

Finland’s 2025 local elections have been praised as “extremely well-run” by international observers, with high marks for accessibility, professionalism, and voter experience at polling stations. But beneath the surface of this democratic success story lie quieter concerns—issues like family voting, unsealed ballot boxes, and confusing ballot designs—that could threaten voter trust if left unaddressed.

In this episode, Matt Davis speaks to Dr. John Ault to unpack the findings from Democracy Volunteers’ latest election observation mission, exploring how even the world’s most trusted electoral systems have room to improve. What does it mean for a democracy to be both admired and imperfect—and how can Finland lead by example?

A Model Democracy? The Quiet Success and Subtle Flaws of Finland’s 2025 Elections

In the coming weeks there will be new episodes on famous by-elections from around the UK. Listen in to find out more in our forthcoming series!

Coming Soon: Famous By-Elections Series 1

Matt Davis interviews Dr. John Ault, Director of Democracy Volunteers, about their recently released report on the 2025 English local elections, held on May 1st. The Democracy Volunteers team deployed observers across every area in England holding elections, with the exception of the Isles of Scilly. Once again they observed several challenges to the voting process and have made a number of recommendations to the UK's Electoral Commission and the UK Government. They focus on the continuing challenges of 'family voting' in the UK, some problems with the requirement to show ID at polling stations and also with some of the less prominent issues around postal voting.

Democracy Volunteers recommend changes after English Local Elections

Alex Iszatt interviews Leah Brown on her White Paper on 'Restoring Public Trust and Accountability'. Leah is a Lawyer who has drawn up a new policy on how to improve the way that UK institutions can improve the way they engage with the public.

Listening to the public, MPs, media and ensuring that institutions are responsive to what people need is a focus of Leah's paper.

Stopping the Blame Game - Rebuilding Public Trust

Matt Davis interviews Russian election expert Ivan Shukshin. Ivan has extensive experience working with election observation initiatives, advocating for transparent and fair electoral processes in Russia.

His work focuses on exposing electoral fraud and mobilising public engagement in defending voting rights. Despite the challenges of operating in a restrictive environment, Shukshin continues to be a vocal advocate for democratic reform, regularly contributing to policy discussions and civil society efforts aimed at strengthening electoral democracy in Russia.

Listen to the insights of someone who has been falsely accused of crimes in Russia to prevent his right to observe elections, who now lives abroad to avoid imprisonment.

Behind the Polling Booth Curtain in Russia - Election Observation and the Threat of Imprisonment

"Put your name up on Facebook with the name of your party—Reform UK—and suddenly you’re a jackbooty, brownshirt, swastika-wearing member of the Nazi party.”

That's what one contributor said to our research team for this year's local elections. As part of Democracy Volunteers election observation for the 2025 English local elections the team surveyed candidates of all parties to find out their experiences out campaigning and the threats, abuse and challenges they faced.

In this episode Jason McKenna interviews the Director of Democracy Volunteers, Dr John Ault, and report researcher, Matt Davis, to find out more about the report that was issued today. Entitled 'Threat to Candidates 2025' it shows the concerning rise of threats and violence towards local election candidates.

Democracy Under Threat? The Hidden Toll on Local Election Candidates

In this thought-provoking episode, Alex Iszatt explores the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and democracy. Joining us are two powerhouse guests with decades of experience in leadership, communications, and political science.

Hilarie Owen, one of the world’s leading experts on leadership and CEO of The Leaders Institute, brings deep insight from her work with global corporations, governments, and elite institutions like the RAF Red Arrows and Harvard University. With a background advising ministers and mentoring senior leaders, she discusses how AI challenges traditional power structures and decision-making in a fast-changing, disruptive world.

Angharad Planells, seasoned communications strategist and former journalist, adds a practical perspective on how narratives around AI are shaped. With experience spanning BBC radio to GE Aerospace and beyond, she shares her insights on the role of media, public understanding, and ethical storytelling in safeguarding democracy in the age of AI.

Together, they unpack whether AI is a threat to democratic institutions—or a tool for strengthening them. Tune in for a nuanced, global perspective on one of the most urgent debates of our time.

(This description was generated by AI)

AI: An Enemy or a Friend of Democracy?

Professor Wouter Veenendaal is Professor by Special Appointment in Kingdom from Leiden University in The Netherlands. In today’s episode, Matt Davis interviews him on the upcoming 2025 general election in Suriname.

2025 sees an election in the South American country which was once a Dutch colony. How big is Suriname, what is the population, how do their elections work? All these questions are answered, and you can learn about the key issues in the Suriname election along with a few other facts about this little know country. Veenendaal’s research examines the effects of population size on politics and democracy, with a specific focus on politics in small (island) states.

International Election Special - Suriname 2025

The Observations Podcast, brought to you by the Democracy Volunteers team, brings you insightful coverage of elections—past, present, local, national, and international. Our team of experts dives into the stories behind the ballots, speaking with candidates, campaigners, organisers and winners to uncover the narratives you won’t hear anywhere else.

Tune in for a deeper look at the elections that shape our world. Our expert interviewers: TV presenter Edd Charlton, ITV and BBC journalist Alex Iszatt and researcher Matt Davis bring their skills to our “Observations” podcast which seeks to inform our listeners to the world of elections and elections observation.

We are nonpartisan and so is it. We interview behind elections and democracy. Subscribe today or just listen in.

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