What can we learn from 2026’s English local electionsThis week we’ve been delving into the English local election results to understand what’s happening behind the headlines, and the picture that is emerging is a mixed one. Whilst the general talk is about winners...Posted 14 May 2026
Government to cap overseas donations and stop crypto donationsToday we welcomed the review by Philip Rycroft into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The review rightly identifies a loss of trust in our democratic system and processes, and the importance...Posted 25 Mar 2026
We were asked to address MPs on the Representation of the People Bill committeeThis week MPs sitting on the Representation of the People Bill committee took evidence before the bill starts committee stage – the line-by-line examination of the legislation. Expert witnesses are called to give evidence at...Posted 19 Mar 2026
Here’s how we’ve briefed MPs ahead of the next reading of the Representation of the People BillOn Monday 2nd March, MPs will gather for the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill – a welcomed and vital opportunity to discuss a fairer and more representative democracy for all. It will extend the...Posted 26 Feb 2026
Why Electoral Commission independence mattersThis 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
MPs suggest National Commission on Electoral ReformIn our increasingly fragmented and volatile political environment, the case for electoral reform becomes clearer every day. And as the political landscape changes, so too will the route to our objective of a fairly elected...Posted 11 Sep 2025
We called, they listened: Government confirms historic democratic reformsIn a statement to parliament today, the democracy minister set out the changes the government plans to make in the forthcoming elections bill. Last week we set out what we hoped to see in the...Posted 17 Jul 2025
The government are introducing a new bill to reform elections – here’s what we want to seeOne year on from the General Election and we are eagerly awaiting the government’s Elections Bill, expected to be tabled in the next session of this parliament. The bill is likely to contain measures, promised...Posted 03 Jul 2025
‘Procedural shenanigans’ as peers debate their own reformThe House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill is being debated again this week in the House of Lords. This bill, as the name suggests, seeks to remove the last 92 hereditary Lords from the second...Posted 11 Mar 2025
Rebuilding trust in politics starts with repairing the rules on fundingEarlier this month the Electoral Commission heads appeared before a House of Commons select committee with stark warnings about the dangers of failing to address the problems with political finance. Commenting on the existing rules...Posted 25 Feb 2025