News and Comment

The latest news and commentary from the Electoral Reform Society.

Around the World | Current Affairs Commentary | Developments at the ERS | Your Questions Answered | Case Studies

View by category

View by date

First Past the Post lets people with fringe views slip through the net

Britain’s First Past the Post system was designed for a two-party age. One that pretty much everyone agrees we no longer live in. Yet even when most people voted for one of the two big...

Posted 13 Nov 2025

First Past the Post doesn’t care how narrow or extreme a party’s agendas is

Why Electoral Commission independence matters

This week, a new report from Spotlight on Corruption highlighted the impact of Electoral Commission independence to the UK’s democratic standing. The report lays bare just how far the UK has slipped since ministers were given...

Posted 30 Sep 2025

The Commission must be accountable to Parliament as a whole - not the government of _the day

How many votes did Labour get in 2024?

On election night in 2024, the headlines celebrated a Labour landslide. Crowds cheered, pundits predicted a bold new direction, and the idea of a strong majority government dominated the conversation. But as the confetti settled,...

Posted 25 Sep 2025

Labour won a commanding majority, even though two-thirds did not vote for the party

Should the House of Lords be reformed?

The bill to remove all 88 hereditary peers from the House of Lords is making its way through the House of Lords itself, and their removal is now imminent. But while we are finally set...

Posted 17 Jul 2025

Reforming the House of Lords isn't just about modernising a relic, it's about making our democracy fit for purpose.

Is there a limit to political donations in the UK?

Political parties cost money to run. In the UK, they’re funded by a variety of sources, including membership fees, grants, and donations. Donations come from individuals, companies, and trade unions. The Electoral Commission reported that...

Posted 04 Jun 2025

If the Government wants to ensure that we, the voters, trust our democratic institutions, it needs to start with ending the reign of big donors

What’s wrong with First Past the Post?

First Past the Post (FPTP) is the name for the voting system used to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to Westminster. It’s also used in a variety of other elections across the UK, including local...

Posted 07 May 2025

In a representative democracy, we ought to have a Parliament that matches the way people voted

It’s no accident that there are not enough women in Parliament

Women’s equal representation in Parliament matters for a host of reasons. From the simple fact that 50% of us are women – to research that points to improved decision-making when women are involved in leadership,...

Posted 24 Apr 2025

Our Parliament has made positive steps toward equal representation, but there’s still room for improvement

Why all local councils should be elected with proportional representation

If you live in England, you might be casting a vote for a councillor in a local election this May – and with your vote, expressing your desire for how you’d like your local services...

Posted 08 Apr 2025

It makes no difference who many voters in England and Wales vote for

What are the different types of local government in England?

Understanding how the different levels of government in the UK can sometimes feel like piecing together a tricky puzzle. At the centre is Westminster, with the Prime Minister leading from the House of Commons. But...

Posted 27 Feb 2025

When it comes to local government, especially in England, the picture isn’t always straightforward

What voting system does the UK use for general elections?

Voting systems are the methods we use to elect representatives, like MPs or local councillors. They lay out rules about the way votes are cast and counted. Which system do we use in general elections...

Posted 11 Feb 2025