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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

A real problem with our voting system is that it delivers parliaments which are not proportional

How are peers appointed to the House of Lords?

The House of Lords is the second chamber of our Parliament. Before bills become laws, they must pass through the House of Lords, and Lords themselves play a key role in scrutinising public policy. That...

Posted 29 Jan 2025

There are multiple routes into the House of Lords and they are all undemocratic

How would proportional representation work in the UK?

Proportional Representation (PR) is the idea that seats in parliament should closely match votes cast in an election. A system that’s perfectly proportional would mean that if a political party received one third of the...

Posted 16 Jan 2025

Under PR you could expect to see parliaments which more accurately reflect votes cast in a general election

What are the political donation rules in the UK?

This week the Observer spoke to our director of research, Jess Garland, about the inadequate rules surrounding party funding in Britain. As Jess told them: “the concern is that if the current rules aren’t updated,...

Posted 04 Dec 2024