Concerns grow within Scottish Labour about the Anonyvoter online voting system amid claims it favours centrist candidates and lacks independent oversight, echoing voter fraud allegations currently investigated in England. The controversy risks deepening divisions ahead of key elections.
Concerns are mounting within Scottish Labour over the integrity of the online voting system used to select candidates for the party, amid ongoing investigations into alleged voter fraud linked to similar systems in England. The Anonyvoter application, already embroiled in controversy, is at the centre of fears that it may disproportionately favour centrist candidates over left-wing ones during selections for the upcoming general election.
Notably, allegations surfaced after the recent selection process for Dundee West, where left-wing MSP Mercedes Villalba, despite receiving more in-person votes, ultimately lost to Michael Marra, who has been proposed as a potential successor to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Sources indicate that Marra received “almost triple” the online votes cast through the Anonyvoter system, stoking suspicions that the software could be manipulated. This trend mirrors events in England, where former MPs Sam Tarry and Beth Winter have openly challenged the system, claiming it played a role in their deselections. Tarry described Anonyvoter as “rigged” to influence outcomes, while Winter has called for an independent inquiry into her own deselection, emphasizing the need for transparency in candidate selection.
Critics of Anonyvoter have voiced grave concerns regarding its lack of independent oversight and the perceived potential for data manipulation. A former Labour staffer highlighted that traditional parliamentary selections involve rigorous oversight conducted by local party officials, a critical layer that is reportedly absent with Anonyvoter. This absence raises pertinent questions about accountability, especially in light of preliminary investigations by the Metropolitan Police into irregularities associated with the system in areas like Croydon.
Scottish Labour is under pressure to address these concerns, as members who have reached out to party leadership about the voting system have received minimal responses. One member reported that their inquiries were dismissed, with claims that no problems had arisen with Anonyvoter in Scottish selections. This situation has created a sense of unease among party members, who fear that what transpired in the Westminster selections could easily echo in the Holyrood candidates’ choices.
The controversy surrounding Anonyvoter has not gone unnoticed at higher echelons of the party, with voices of dissent including John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor. He accused current party leadership of pursuing a “search and destroy” mission against left-wing factions within Labour. The disquiet among Scottish Labour members is exacerbated by fears that the current momentum could hinder the party’s electoral prospects if internal dissatisfaction remains unaddressed.
Anonyvoter’s developers maintain that their technology is not at fault for the allegations of election fraud, insisting that issues stem from Labour’s internal databases. Despite assertions from a Scottish Labour spokesperson that the party has confidence in the integrity of selection processes, the rising tide of apprehension reflects a stark division within the party, driven by concerns over electoral fairness and potential bias against left-wing candidates.
Editorial calls for reform have also echoed from various quarters, including advocacy groups such as the Electoral Reform Society, which spotlighted the disenfranchisement of voters under the current first-past-the-post electoral system. A 2020 report suggested that over two-thirds of Scottish voters felt effectively ignored during the 2019 UK general election, fuelling arguments for a shift towards a more representative electoral model.
As Scottish Labour gears up for crucial elections, the dissonance surrounding Anonyvoter presents a profound challenge. With growing apprehension surrounding transparency in candidate selections, the party faces a pivotal moment in determining how to navigate these internal disputes while striving for electoral success amidst an increasingly sceptical membership base.
Reference Map:
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- Paragraph 2 – [1], [3], [4]
- Paragraph 3 – [1], [7]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [5]
- Paragraph 5 – [2], [6]
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- Paragraph 7 – [1], [5]
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/fears-over-scottish-labour-using-35282783 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/07/scottish-labour-rejects-electoral-reform-distorted-win-ever/ – In July 2024, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar rejected calls to reform the UK’s voting system, despite his party achieving a landslide victory with nearly two-thirds of Commons seats on just 34% of the vote. Sarwar emphasized that the current system was well-known and that the party had won by playing within its rules, dismissing the need for a debate on changing the voting system.
- https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-labour-mp-beth-winter-calls-for-inquiry-into-her-deselection-as-police-probe-voter-fraud/ – In March 2024, Welsh Labour MP Beth Winter called for an independent inquiry into her deselection process, citing concerns over the Anonyvoter online voting system. The Metropolitan Police’s cyber crime unit was investigating irregularities involving Anonyvoter in Croydon East CLP, where Winter’s deselection had occurred. Winter’s call for an inquiry was renewed amid the police probe into alleged voter fraud.
- https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2024/09/02/jas-athwal/ – In September 2024, allegations emerged that the Anonyvoter system was used to rig selections in the Labour Party. In one instance, candidate Jas Athwal won 43% of in-person votes but 65% of Anonyvoter ballots. Concerns included the lack of independent oversight and the potential for electoral fraud through the generation of additional codes by administrators.
- https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/media-centre/press-releases/general-election-vast-majority-of-scottish-voters-left-voiceless-under-westminsters-warped-voting-system/ – A 2020 report by the Electoral Reform Society highlighted that 68.5% of Scottish voters were effectively ignored in the 2019 UK general election due to the first-past-the-post system. The report called for a shift to a proportional representation system to ensure fairer representation and address the disproportionate results under the current system.
- https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2007/11/scot-n06.html – A 2007 report by Ron Gould, a former senior Canadian election official, investigated the May 2007 Scottish parliamentary elections. The report criticized the Scottish and UK governments for focusing on partisan interests over voter needs, leading to widespread voter disenfranchisement. It recommended that future election organizers prioritize voters’ interests above all considerations.
- https://labouroutlook.org/2024/04/18/vote-rigging-allegations-in-labour-selections-via-anonyvoter-system-must-be-answered/ – In April 2024, Momentum National Secretary Lorcan Whitehead called for an independent inquiry into allegations of vote rigging in Labour’s parliamentary selections via the Anonyvoter system. Whitehead highlighted concerns about the system’s potential for abuse, including manual vote additions and the generation of additional codes by administrators, and criticized the lack of independent oversight in the process.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent concerns within Scottish Labour regarding the Anonyvoter system, with references to events up to May 2025. Similar issues have been reported since March 2024, indicating ongoing discussions. ([telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/03/27/unions-demand-answers-over-labour-online-voting-system/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of the most recent events suggests a high freshness score. However, the presence of earlier reports indicates that the core concerns are not entirely new.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from individuals such as Sam Tarry and Beth Winter, who have previously expressed concerns about the Anonyvoter system. For instance, Tarry has stated, ‘I want to be absolutely clear – the Anonyvoter system was used to deselect me, rigged to change the result against the wishes of my local Labour Party.’ ([labourhub.org.uk](https://labourhub.org.uk/2024/03/29/labour-unions-pile-on-pressure-over-anonyvoter-scandal/?utm_source=openai)) The repetition of these quotes suggests that the content may be recycled. However, the inclusion of recent developments and additional context provides some originality.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Record, a reputable Scottish newspaper. The inclusion of references to other established outlets, such as The Telegraph and The Canary, adds credibility. However, the presence of less established sources like Labour Hub and Labour Outlook introduces some uncertainty. The mix of sources suggests a moderate level of reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents concerns about the Anonyvoter system within Scottish Labour, aligning with previously reported issues. The inclusion of recent events up to May 2025 adds plausibility. However, the lack of new, independent verification or additional evidence raises questions about the novelty of the claims. The tone and language used are consistent with previous reports, suggesting a moderate level of plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents ongoing concerns within Scottish Labour regarding the Anonyvoter system, incorporating recent developments up to May 2025. While the inclusion of new events suggests a moderate level of freshness, the repetition of previously reported quotes and the mix of source reliability introduce uncertainties. The plausibility of the claims is moderate, given the alignment with earlier reports but the lack of new independent verification.
