Monday, June 10, 2024 British election campaigns are too long  Two-and-a-half weeks after Rishi Sunak called a risky election earlier than expected, Emmanuel Macron has called a risky election earlier than expected. Only his election will still be held before ours, with the first round of voting on 30 June.      I love election campaigns, but ours are too long.    We went wrong when we gave in to the Association of Electoral Administrators, the returning officers' trade union, in 2013 and increased the statutory election period from 17 working days (three-and-a-half weeks) to 25 (five weeks).   "This allowed returning officers vital additional time to administer increasingly complex polls," said the AEA, "as well as giving electors time to register and make absent voting arrangements." I don't buy it.    Whoever wins the election should scrap photo ID, abolish numbered ballot papers, restore preferential voting for mayors and go back to three-and-a-half-week election campaigns.  Quiz question Which recent cabinet minister is a Buddhist? Answer at the bottom of today's email I have worked for The Independent long enough to remember when you had to pay to read our journalism, because the main way of getting hold of it was to buy a paper copy. Now a lot of what we do is free to read online, including one of my columns every Saturday. But it is as true today as it was then that good journalism costs money.    I am extremely proud of what we do at The Independent, from scoops such as the prime minister's wife's non-dom status to our lively comment articles for the independent-minded. 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SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 6 MONTHS Daily briefing Why Lib Dem pledge to reverse Brexit is its best chance this election Analysis by David Maddox, The Independent's political editor  Douglas Ross to step down as Scottish Tory leader after election Tory leader quits during election campaign, giving up on Scottish parliament, staying in Westminster Rishi Sunak will try to put D-Day behind him in BBC interview tonight Prime minister said 'there are lots of people who want to write me off' What else you need to know today A Reform UK candidate mentioned Hitler in an online comment two years ago and it is not going well Tony Blair spoke in the parliament in Pristina to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kosovo by Nato forces I wrote at the weekend that the likely state of the Conservatives after the election means that the real opposition to a Keir Starmer government will come from within the Labour Party The Independent has launched a WhatsApp "community" bringing you the latest news on the general election. Useful for keeping up with the latest stories, plus exclusive poll results and campaign updates from my colleagues and me. Sign up to our free service here. The Independent View Labour and the Tories must stop avoiding the difficult issues Politics explained Rishi Sunak's welfare reforms: what is the prime minister promising? The prime minister believes he can save £12bn a year by getting more benefit claimants back to work...   Read more MOST COMMENTED The real losers from Labour's VAT raid on private schools? The children Tomorrow on the campaign trail Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for The main event will be the launch of the Conservative Party manifesto at 11.30am. Will Rishi Sunak finally be able to move on from his D-Day nightmare?   Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, will unveil a plan to improve children's dentistry during a visit to the North East.   Nigel Farage will be interviewed by Nick Robinson for the Panorama programme at 10.40pm on BBC1. The leaders of five Scottish parties will take part in a debate on BBC1 Scotland at 8pm.    UK in a Changing Europe is hosting an all-day conference on "Migration to the UK: Policy, Politics and Public Opinion" (9am to 6pm, in person and on line) QUOTE OF THE DAY "I just hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me"   Rishi Sunak Enjoy 6 months of Independent Premium for just £1  With the election date set, our mission to provide unbiased journalism has never been more important. As the only quality news source that refuses to take political sides, you can rely on our commentary and analysis to help you make sense of the key elections in the UK and US. SUBSCRIBE TODAY You may cancel at any time. Quiz answer: Suella Braverman The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy