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James Sherwin-Smith

@jss4nw.bsky.social
38 followers 25 following 112 posts

Member Nominated Candidate standing for election to the Board of Directors of Nationwide building society. James4Nationwide.co.uk

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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Press release: james4nationwide.co.uk/member-democ... Preliminary results docs.google.com/spreadsheets... 2027 Nomination james4nationwide.co.uk/nominate Special General Meeting james4nationwide.co.uk/special-gene...
james4nationwide.co.uk
Member Democracy Campaign Begins ‘New Chapter’ Following Nationwide Board Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE15 July 2026James Sherwin-Smith today announced a "New Chapter" of his campaign for stronger Member democracy, following the conclusion of Nationwide Building Society’s 2026 Board...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Today marks the end of my 2026 #Nationwide #Board #Election campaign, & the start of a #NewChapter. If you support stronger #Member #Democracy at Nationwide, I'd love your support for the next phase, including a Member led Special General Meeting and nominations to stand again in 2027. Link below.
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Thank you to every Member, journalist & parliamentarian who has supported this campaign over the past 2 years. The 2026 Election may be ending today, but the movement for stronger #MemberDemocracy is just starting. Learn more re the AGM, read my statement, etc.: james4nationwide.co.uk/today 🧵4/4
james4nationwide.co.uk
Today is the Nationwide 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
15th July 2026 -- Today, Members of Nationwide Building Society will vote on the future direction of the Society at its Annual General Meeting.Whatever today's result, this campaign has already demons...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This afternoon, a new chapter begins. Introducing #FourPillars for Stronger #MemberDemocracy 1️⃣Increase Member Representation at #Nationwide 2️⃣Modernise Governance at Nationwide 3️⃣Strengthen Member Democracy across the #BuildingSociety sector 4️⃣Build #C4DG, a Coalition for Democratic Governance 🧵3/4
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Whatever today's #Nationwide #AGM result, the questions raised won't disappear. How are Member Nominated Candidates treated? How are Members encouraged to vote? Are Nationwide's #governance arrangements still fit for purpose in a modern #mutual? 🧵2/4
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Today marks the end of the 2026 @nationwideuk.bsky.social #Board #Election. But this campaign has become about much more than one Board seat. Together we've put #Member #democracy, #governance and #accountability at the world's largest #BuildingSociety firmly into the national conversation. 🧵1/4
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
. @thetimes.com reports on calls to update the 40-year-old Building Societies Act. An open letter signed by parliamentarians and governance leaders calls for the government to consider strengthening governance ahead of @nationwideuk.bsky.social #AGM on Weds. james4nationwide.co.uk/burnham-urge...
james4nationwide.co.uk
Burnham urged to amend Building Societies Act (The Times)
Open letter by candidate in Nationwide board election signed by MPs and peers seeks parliamentary debate to 'protect member democracy'Guy TaylorSunday July 12 2026, 3:48pmlink: https://www.thetimes.co...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Thanks Rob!
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Is the #BuildingSocieties Act 1986 still fit for purpose when it comes to Member democracy and modern Board governance? Read more: james4nationwide.co.uk/peers-questi...
james4nationwide.co.uk
Peers question whether building society governance law is fit for purpose – “not acceptable” that societies “can fiddle who gets onto the Board”
EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 BST 7 JULY 20267 JULY 2026, LONDON – Peers question Board controlled elections and "Quick Vote" as Parliament considers enhancing building society governance standardsThe House o...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The Government did not back the amendment at this stage, but there appeared to be cross party support for a revised version to return at Report stage. The debate raises a bigger question.
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
She also challenged blind bundled voting, including so called #QuickVote mechanisms, asking whether building societies should instead encourage Members to #slowVOTE by considering each resolution independently.
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Baroness Bowles questioned whether: “you can have what is essentially a substantial financial institution having a Board that can #fiddle who gets onto the Board and who does not“ adding that: “the situation that has gone on is not acceptable”. james4nationwide.co.uk/peers-questi...
james4nationwide.co.uk
Peers question whether building society governance law is fit for purpose – “not acceptable” that societies “can fiddle who gets onto the Board”
EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 BST 7 JULY 20267 JULY 2026, LONDON – Peers question Board controlled elections and "Quick Vote" as Parliament considers enhancing building society governance standardsThe House o...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Yesterday the House of Lords held a significant debates on Building Society governance. Baroness Bowles of Berhamsted proposed minimum governance standards incl. fair elections & voting, #ExecutivePay, Member representation on Boards & no to #VirtualOnlyAGMs. james4nationwide.co.uk/amendment-14...
james4nationwide.co.uk
Amendment 142E to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]
As introduced by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted, at Grand Committee of the House of Lords, on 6th July 2026.Financial Services and Markets Bill https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4129Extract from the F...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
#BreakingNews from Mark Kleinman @skynewsrss.bsky.social via link below. +More on how #Nationwide has sought to influence this #election & my fight for better #governance standards, increased member #representation & more #transparency 🔗 james4nationwide.co.uk/twelve #AGM voting closes next week.
news.sky.com
Mark Kleinman blog | See the latest stories from Sky News' City editor
Mark Kleinman has broken numerous major stories about the corporate and financial sectors since joining Sky News in 2009. See his latest stories, analysis and updates here, and follow him on X at @Mar...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
To kickstart the campaign, we're launched a #competition, and we'll award: 🏆 £100 for the most creative #slowVOTE content. 🚀 £100 for the most popular #slowVOTE content. Video. Meme. Photo. Poster. Whatever you can imagine. The competition end 15-July: #Nationwide #AGM. Learn more: slowVOTE.com
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
This year's Board Election @nationwideuk.bsky.social is different. For the first time in 21 years there's a Member Nominated Candidate on the ballot: me. Whatever you decide, please take the time to decide for yourself. (The #QuickVote check box is 25x bigger on the paper form. Why?) #slowVOTE
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Too often, voting takes seconds. An email arrives. A few clicks later, it's over. The #Nationwide #Board call the #QuickVote "convenient". #slowVOTE instead encourages Members to instead pause, study the form, understand what's at stake, and make an informed choice. Read. Think. Decide. #VOTE.
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Last year, at the @nationwideuk.bsky.social 2025 #AGM: 🚫 92% of eligible #Nationwide Members didn't vote at all. ⚡️ 7% used the infamous #QuickVote. ✅ 1% took the time to make an informed choice. #slowVOTE is about changing that.
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Inspired by the brilliant cartoons of Alan Baker, we've launched #slowVOTE. 🚧 Read. Think. Decide. Vote. A simple campaign encouraging @nationwideuk.bsky.social Members to take a little more time before voting, but most importantly, to #VOTE, with just 9 days left. slowVOTE.com #Nationwide #AGM
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
3/3 This follows letters to the Chancellor and Nationwide's Chair, plus written Parliamentary Questions from Navendu Mishra MP (@labouruk.bsky.social) and Daisy Cooper MP (@libdems.org.uk) about #buildingsociety #governance and #Member engagement. More here: james4nationwide.co.uk/more-concern...
james4nationwide.co.uk
More concerns raised in Parliament about building society governance and member engagement
Following the publication of Navendu Mishra MP's letter to the Chancellor, raising "emerging governance issues in the building society sector" on 1st May 2026, written questions have also been raised ...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
2/ Navendu Mishra MP praised Vernon Building Society in #Stockport as "truly a #mutual, owned by #Members, not shareholders." He highlighted concerns at @nationwideuk.bsky.social: its #VirtualOnlyAGM, the absence of Member Nominated Directors, and the #QuickVote process (see slowvote.com instead).
slowvote.com
Don't 'Quick vote' - #slowVOTE
Slow down! Take your time. Make your vote count.Every year, millions of Nationwide Building Society Members are invited to vote in the Society's Election. Most don't.Some vote in seconds.Very few take...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
1/3 Yesterday in Parliament, MPs called for Government time to debate the Building Societies Act 1986. I'd argue that — like me — it's showing its age and could do with some work. 🎥 Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=TEtA... #BuildingSociety #Democracy #Membership #Mutual #Governance #Fairness #Quickvote
youtube.com
Navendu Mishra MP & Building Societies "concerns about meaningful democratic engagement for members"
YouTube video by James4Nationwide
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
4/4 Thankfully, supporters have helped me build a presence elsewhere. Follow me on Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube & WhatsApp - links here: james4nationwide.co.uk/social-media... Subscribe by email for campaign updates + a FREE ENTRY TO my weekly draw to WIN 💷 £100 💷 fairer-share.com
fairer-share.com
Subscribe & Enter The Free Weekly Prize Draw
Subscribe to weekly email updates from James4Nationwide, and you get an entry into The Free Weekly Prize Draw for your chance to win the £100 Random Share!By entering your email address below, and cli...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
3/4 The post that got me banned said #Nationwide was fined £44 million by the #FCA for poor financial controls. I included a link to the FCA public Decision Notice. 🏦 But it was me, apparently, that violated the #Meta Community Guidelines for "#Fraud & Deception". www.fca.org.uk/publication/...
fca.org.uk
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
2/4 You won't find me on #Facebook or #Instagram anymore. #Meta permanently blocked my personal accounts in February, just as I was seeking #Member #Nominations for #Election to the Board of #Nationwide Building Society. 20 years of photos, posts and messages—gone. ☠️
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
1/4 "It's me, hi. I'm the problem, it's me." 🎤 A sunny day in Horsham interviewing people about @nationwideuk.bsky.social, #FairerShare and #Member #democracy. 🎥 New video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TYs... #Nationwide #AGM #NationwideAGM
youtube.com
Interviewing the people of Horsham
YouTube video by James4Nationwide
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
600 jobs to go at Nationwide is difficult news for everyone affected. My concern is for the people and the culture. If more mutual minded Nationwide people leave than Virgin Money staff, what impact will that have? This is why Member #democracy matters. #slowVOTE www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Nationwide to cut 600 jobs in first redundancies after takeover of Virgin Money
Exclusive: Move affects staff of both companies whose roles will be duplicated once operations are merged
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
After 4 weeks, the FCA has declined to investigate my complaint that #Nationwide edited my Election Address before sending it to Members. I've now asked whether this means Nationwide complied with the law, or simply didn't meet the threshold for investigation. james4nationwide.co.uk/fca-declines...
james4nationwide.co.uk
FCA declines investigation into Nationwide election complaint despite confirming Member democracy falls within its remit (Press release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECandidate seeks clarification from FCA on whether regulator considers Nationwide complied with the Building Societies Act as voting continues20 June 2026, LONDON -- James Sherwin-...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Not just Govt it seems. james4nationwide.co.uk/fca-declines...
james4nationwide.co.uk
FCA declines investigation into Nationwide election complaint despite confirming Member democracy falls within its remit (Press release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECandidate seeks clarification from FCA on whether regulator considers Nationwide complied with the Building Societies Act as voting continues20 June 2026, LONDON -- James Sherwin-...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Not obviously. When a regulator like the #FCA won't even *investigate* a potential breach of the law by the largest building society in the land @nationwideuk.bsky.social, where are we heading? james4nationwide.co.uk/fca-declines...
james4nationwide.co.uk
FCA declines investigation into Nationwide election complaint despite confirming Member democracy falls within its remit (Press release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECandidate seeks clarification from FCA on whether regulator considers Nationwide complied with the Building Societies Act as voting continues20 June 2026, LONDON -- James Sherwin-...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Journalists get it (judging by the press this gets). Ordinary Members get it (judging by the emails I receive). MPs from different parties get it (given the questions they are asking). Why don’t the #Nationwide #Board, the #FCA, or the #Government? 12/12 James4Nationwide.co.uk/how-to-vote-...
james4nationwide.co.uk
How to Vote for James
If you would like to support James in the Nationwide AGM Board election, this guide explains exactly how to cast your vote.Voting only takes a few minutes, but it is important to follow the correct st...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I think this raises valid wider questions about the spirit of the #law, the effectiveness of #regulation (the Financial Conduct Authority is the Mutual Societies #regulator), and what #mutual ownership means if Members cannot realistically influence governance. www.fca.org.uk/raise-concer... 11/12
fca.org.uk
Reporting a concern about a mutual society
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Yesterday on Reddit I was asked whether this election is “rigged.” I won’t use that word. But I do think the process has become sufficiently one sided that it risks undermining #confidence in Member #democracy and #governance. www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonal... 10/12
reddit.com
Otherwise-Bar-8366's comment on "I'm James Sherwin-Smith, the first Member Nominated Candidate standing for Election to the Board of Directors of Nationwide Building Society in over 20 years. Ask Me ...
Explore this conversation and more from the UKPersonalFinance community
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Members never voted to introduce the #QuickVote. Yet #Nationwide can determine its voting procedures within the existing legislative framework, including Rules 25(e) and 25(f). www.nationwide.co.uk/-/assets/nat...
nationwide.co.uk
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
But there’s the circular problem. If a #BuildingSociety designs its own voting process, and #Members can only approve rule changes through that same process (which leverages the #quickvote - 87% of #Nationwide members used the QV last year), who scrutinises whether the process itself is fair? 8/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Economic Secretary to the #Treasury Rachel Blake MP replied that different #voting mechanisms are “a matter for individual societies and their members.” The #Government has “no plans to introduce prescriptive requirements.” 7/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Contrast that with Parliament on Wednesday. Daisy Cooper MP asked the Chancellor about #voting systems used to approve #Board recommendations at an #AGM. www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=20... 6/12
theyworkforyou.com
Building Societies: Meetings
Treasury written question – answered at 24 June 2026
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
And: “Members deserve the opportunity to hear those voices without #interference. “I have never seen an #Election conducted in this way before at Nationwide, and I fear the #precedent it sets.” 5/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Alan continued: “ #BuildingSocieties are owned by their #Members. “They should not be kept at arm’s length. “Independent voices have always had a place in mutual #governance.” 4/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Alan asked me to publish a statement from him on my website. Some excerpts: “The #QuickVote is not purely a #Nationwide issue. “It is a plague on #democracy, nationwide.” james4nationwide.co.uk/statement-fr... 3/12
james4nationwide.co.uk
Statement from Alan Debenham
Alan Debenham was the last Member Nominated Candidate to appear on the Nationwide Building Society ballot before James Sherwin-Smith's candidacy, standing for Election from 1999 to 2005Alan Debenham, ...
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Alan was the last Member Nominated Candidate elected to the #Nationwide #BuildingSociety Board in 2005, ending more than 40 years of continuous Member representation. The #QuickVote followed the next year. (Nominations had already been made 5x harder in 2000.) 2/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Alan Debenham called me last week after opening his #Nationwide #AGM pack. He said reading the #voting form made him “the angriest I’ve been in my life.” Alan is nearly 84. 🧵1/12
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
With 9.3M voters, the Nationwide electorate is larger than that of many countries. Imagine a Returning Officer saying: “I won't provide info or access to independent candidates because I'm paid by the govt., so only the govt. gets to know these things.” #Trust #Confidence #Election #Fairness END
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Finally: 🤓 Is there a formal code, terms of reference, standard, or best practice framework that CES follows which would help candidates and Members understand the position? Transparency should not be controversial. 🧵 6/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
And further: 📉 Does Nationwide receive updates from CES on how the count is developing during the voting window? 🧐 Why is CES unable or unwilling to answer these questions directly? 🧵 5/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
More questions: 📋 Who, if anyone, oversees CES's processes and procedures, given it is retained and paid by Nationwide? 📈 Can candidates or authorised representatives receive progress reports during the voting period? 🧵 4/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Questions I've asked CES: 🔎 What ability do I, as a candidate (or through my team), have to review and audit the electoral process? 🕵️ Who is the person at Civica responsible for overseeing this Election? 🧵 3/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
CES is refusing to answer some fairly basic questions about the #Nationwide #BuildingSociety #Election, instead referring me to Nationwide itself. Remember: it is Nationwide #Members who ultimately pay for both organisations. #MemberDemocracy 🧵 2/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
What does “independent” mean? Civica Election Services (CES), formerly Electoral Reform Services (ERS), describes itself as an “independent service provider/scrutineer” and says “democracy is in our DNA”. That DNA seems to have mutated considerably. 🧬 🧵 1/7
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James Sherwin-Smith @jss4nw.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Less than 3 weeks to go. I'm just keen to see more people active and engaged in this #AGM and #Board #Election, and thinking more about the issues at hand. FYI I'm doing an #AMA on Reddit Thursday lunchtime - details here: james4nationwide.co.uk/ama #AskMeAnything
james4nationwide.co.uk
Reddit Ask Me Anything Thursday 25th June 12.30pm
James is going to host an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit on Thursday 25th June 2026 at 12:30pm.If you'd like to subscribe to be sent the URL of the meeting, please sign up to his weekly email list us...
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