Anne Snelgrove (Labour) former MP for South Swindon.

Issues

Electronic Voting

Witness trouble during one of the evoting trials in May 2007 Swindon Advertiser Voting shambles blamed on rush 6 May 2007

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said the shambles of Thursday night has turned her against the new system.

"I've received many reports of people being in long queues and left before casting their votes. I've also heard from people who experienced the system crashing and decided to do it on paper. I don't want to see it happening again in Swindon. I don't think it is satisfactory. There is a lot to be done with training staff - it is much more complicated than a piece of paper and a pencil."

She is concerned about the confidentiality of votes being compromised.

"Some people could see what others were voting for on the screen. Some officers were looking over people's shoulders to make sure they were voting correctly, but I don't think it is acceptable."

Links

Anne Snelgrove MP website
Anne Snelgrove MP Blog
Anne Snelgrove MP TheyWorkForYou.com
Anne Snelgrove MP Wikipedia

News

2007-05-18 - BBC - In full: MPs who backed FOI bid: Summary: Here is the full list of MPs who voted to give the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill a third reading - moving it a step closer to becoming law. ... Anne Snelgrove (Swindon South)

2007-05-06 - Swindon Advertiser - Voting shambles blamed on rush: Author: Sarah Hilley; Summary: A lack of time to plan computerised voting has been blamed for problems that Swindon residents faced on polling day. Counting officers had to revert to old-fashioned pen and paper when wireless connections failed at Covingham and Lawn polling stations. E-voting coordinator at Open Rights Group, Jason Kitcat, said: "We were aware of problems with regards to the conduct of the count." "We have been very concerned by the numbers of areas in which problems have been reported."; Note: Anne Snelgrove MP said the shambles of Thursday night has turned her against the new system.

2007-02-26 - This is Wiltshire - Air grievances to MP online: Author: Raeanne Nightingale; Summary: Anne Snelgrove MP is encouraging people in Swindon to log on to a new online surgery feature on her website. The E-surgery has been created to allow residents to solve their grievances quickly and effectively. She said: "From the local council to the CSA, asylum, tax, immigration and exams - the advice on the pages in thissection of the site will guide people through the complaints procedure." "Helping residents solve their casework is one of the favourite parts of my job, and I deal with hundreds of letters, phone calls and emails every week." "I hope that by providing some information on the internet I can help empower residents to cut through red tape and sort out problems more easily. People who don't have access to the internet can write to me or telephone me in the normal way."