Andrew Wood: Tower Hamlets Council must put the interests of children ahead of political correctness

English law is clear on how foster placements should be made and that “the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration”.

Peter Golds: Voter corruption is prosecuted in Scotland, and it should be in England too

The Crown Prosecution Service and the police are still failing to uphold democracy in Tower Hamlets.

Lord Ashcroft: How you can help to stamp out electoral fraud

Call 0800 555 111 – or use the online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org, where you won’t have to give your personal details.

Manifesto small print 2) Tackling electoral fraud

This pledge follows alarming evidence that democracy was undermined in Tower Hamlets.

Ralph Bagge: Local action can improve air quality

Parents waiting in cars with their engines idling at the end of the school day raise the pollution level significantly.

Daniel Hannan: Our electoral system is less secure than that of most banana republics

What possible reason could Labour have to vigorously oppose anti-fraud measures?

Peter Golds: Requiring ID at polling stations is vital to tackling election fraud

If it is good enough for internal Labour selections then why not for council and General Elections?

Requiring ID to vote is sensible. But we also urgently need postal vote reform.

Blair’s changes ignored security in the name of raising turnout. It is time to correct that error.

Peter Golds: Second Tower Hamlets Councillor jailed for fraud in four years

There will now be a by-election in the Whitechapel Ward. But will the police ensure that it is free and fair?

Andrew Wood: Why you should start a Neighbourhood Plan

They cannot stop development but they can shape it and help deliver more homes as well as infrastructure.

Peter Golds: The Government must implement the Pickles proposals, and task the police with tackling election fraud

There is a huge amount of work to be done to restore and defend our democracy.

The test of Pickles’ anti-fraud plan will be voter identity proof

Sir Eric’s proposals are a welcome first step towards restoring trust in the ballot box, but photographic evidence is the essential gold standard.

Peter Golds: Will we have any viable election law in the future?

The rules not only need to be updated but also to be enforced.

Peter Golds: The first signs of spring for the Zac campaign

A month ago, this site carried assessments of how Goldsmith’s campaign is going. Now the authors return for an update.

Tom Hawthorn: What we are doing to fight electoral fraud

We at the Electoral Commission take this crime very seriously. It is thankfully rare, but even one case is too many.