The Quick Vote
QUICK VOTE
REPORT
Five things you need to know about the Quick Vote
An introduction to the controversial voting system that has put an end to meaningful democracy in the National Trust.
The Quick Vote has made National Trust elections less fair…
1
The Quick Vote had made ballots in National Trust elections much less fair than they used to be. Why? Because by presenting the Quick Vote option first, and allowing endorsed candidates and resolution positions to be voted for as a block, it has become significantly easier to vote in the way the National Trust wants you to than to vote according to your own judgement…
…and turned once competitive AGMs into a rubber-stamping exercise.
2
A hallmark of healthy democratic organisations is competitive elections. However, since the introduction of the Quick Vote and its biassing of the ballot, no candidate who was not endorsed by the existing National Trust leadership, and no resolution which had not received their backing, has been successful at the AGM. Not one…
The Quick Vote was introduced with no mandate from National Trust members.
3
The introduction of the Quick Vote was clearly a big deal. And historically the National Trust has recognised that major changes to the operations of the AGM should be approved by resolution of the membership. For example, in 2021 the Board of Trustees proposed a motion on ‘Digital Futures’, with important consequences for the AGM. At the time, the Board of Trustees noted in its resolution that ‘these changes can only be approved by the members in a general meeting...’ However, when it came to the introduction of the Quick Vote, the National Trust declined to put a resolution forward to the AGM. It did not widely consult, nor seek the support of, members. The Quick Vote was simply announced…
The National Trust has provided no clear rationale for introducing the Quick Vote.
4
Why, you might ask, has the National Trust introduced the Quick Vote? Many members have been trying to find out. When pushed, the National Trust leadership said:
The National Trust introduced a quick vote option last year in response to member feedback and having taken advice from [Civica Election Services] on arrangements at similar large member organisations.
The Quick Vote is harming the reputation of the National Trust.
5
The decline in competitive votes at the AGM poses a reputational risk to the National Trust and its claim to be a democratic organisation. Sir William Proby, a former Chairman of the National Trust, has branded the Quick Vote ‘an extreme form of proxy voting’ which makes the election process ‘undemocratic.’ For someone so senior to make such a claim should be a wake-up call for the current leadership. But so far, it has fallen on deaf ears.
The Quick Vote also affects other organisations, and their members’ concerns are being raised in Parliament
Navendu Mishra MP has formally raised concerns by writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and raising questions in Parliament. This is a significant development. Concern about the Quick Vote and the governance of membership organisations is gaining traction at a national level.
We believe the quick vote undermines meaningful member engagement and weakens accountability. If left unchallenged, it risks setting a precedent that further distances members from real influence over their organisation.
Please write to your MP
More MPs need to hear directly from their constituents. If you are concerned about the Quick Vote, please write to your local MP. Ask whether your MP supports the concerns raised by Nav Mishra MP regarding concerns about governance in member organisations as set out in the letter he has written to the Chancellor and has submitted in Parliament.
You can say:
You are a member or former member of the National Trust
You are concerned about governance standards and member voting processes
You support greater scrutiny of the ‘Quick vote’ mechanism
You would like to know if your MP is supportive and will engage with the relevant Minister on this issue, Baroness Twycross
Attach Nav Mishra's MP's letter (either link or attached)
When you receive a response, please tell us about it.
We need to keep up the pressure on the Quick vote, not only in the National Trust, but in all the affected membership organisations.
The greatest power you have to bring about change is to be a member of the National Trust and vote in AGMs.