My official BCS blog has launched here:

http://www.bcs.org/blogs/davidevans

A bit more focused, but also with a nice little David avatar. All resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

The ‘Boris for Mayor’ saga continues:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6897028.stm

If he does, he will be the first candidate to give Ken Livingstone a real run for his money. Isn’t it odd that it is so terribly difficult to find a convincing candidate for London Mayor? Is this because it’s the ultimate ‘cult of the personality’ role in politics?

Some months ago, I suggested that Ken Livingston and Boris Johnson had their similarities. In fact, I mentioned this to one of Boris’ staff, and after the initial shock she saw where I was coming from. Both are ebulient and unafraid of controversy. Both sometimes court controversy by accident, or by speaking their minds.

 Lo and behold:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2007/07/ruling_nothing.html

Obviously, as a card-carrying Labour Party member I can’t support Mr Johnson. However, if we’re talking theoretically, then perhaps a certain floppy-haired cheeky Tory would be the next best thing to Red Kenneth.

More investment in public transport! More bullying petty councils to sort themselves out! Death to cyclists who jump red lights! Huzzah!

Things have been rather busy on all fronts, so I haven’t blogged for a bit. I do worry that it’s just a new toy, but I will try and do something. While I know there are quite a few who read, few comment. I’m actually thinking that the audience for this is really…well…me. It helps me to process and think about things if I have to write them, and it’s good practice…

Every once in a while the subject of e-voting comes up. I was discussing this with an expert at the London School of Economics, who has studied the system in Brazil. I was saying that having been an election agent in the 2005 general election I was extremely impressed with the dilligence and ethical conduct of the election organisers. Combining that with a system that was suitably open to scrutiny gives a very solid basis for trust in an election.

I was informed that one of the oddities of the system in Brazil was that at the end of the day it is eerily quiet. There is no bustle of the count, there is no drawn out release of results - it all happens very quickly and quietly. There are no re-counts (not that there could be), and everyone trusts that the system works. (more…)