Lords reform shouldn’t be a threat – it’s a core part of ‘taking back control’Lords have begun debating the Article 50 Bill. With 191 speakers lined up and plenty of amendments tabled, it’s a fascinating moment for democracy and Britain’s constitution. What we’re witnessing is this: legislation that resulted from...Posted 20 Feb 2017
Northern Ireland’s voting system allows for a more diverse, open politicsLast year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election saw some fascinating developments. From a 50% increase in women’s representation, to the growth of cross-community parties and some surprise upsets, it was testament to an evolving democracy, under...Posted 17 Feb 2017
How to shrink the Lords: have your say todayIf you think the House of Lords is in dire need of a shakeup, it’s time to tell Peers what you think. An inquiry by the Lord Speaker’s committee is looking at how to shrink our bloated upper chamber....Posted 07 Feb 2017
The public need a say on where power will lie after BrexitSo Theresa May has fleshed out her plans for Britain leaving the EU and becoming an independent self-governing nation. With more detail emerging about the economic plan, it’s time to look at the democratic implications. Serious thinking...Posted 18 Jan 2017
MPs are getting organised for a fairer voting systemLast month, we saw a symbolic step forward in the Parliamentary push for fair votes. 16 Parliamentarians gathered in Portcullis House on the 29th November for the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Proportional...Posted 14 Dec 2016
Amid a shrinking Commons, let’s stand up for the backbencherThis article was first published on Politics.co.uk A steady rise in independent-minded MPs has been a positive feature of Westminster life in recent years. Parliament has always had its share of mavericks and their ranks...Posted 18 Nov 2016
Cutting the number of MPs will have consequences. Let’s get this rightThis article was first published in the Times You might have forgotten about it, but the government’s boundary review – the redrawing of the area that your MP represents – is still going ahead, and it’s happening alongside a...Posted 17 Nov 2016
Maine makes history as first state to back fair votesAs the world analyses the result of the US Presidential election, there’s one result you might have missed. On Tuesday one state made a symbolic breakthrough: Maine became the first US state to scrap First...Posted 09 Nov 2016
1,000 new Peers? No thanks“If the Lords was obstructive we would just have to create 1,000 peers.” So said Jacob Rees-Mogg MP on Thursday, following the High Court’s ruling that MPs will have a vote on the triggering of Article...Posted 07 Nov 2016
Why PR must be at the heart of Labour’s reform agenda: Katie Ghose at #Lab16The following is based on Katie Ghose’s speech at the launch of the Fabian Society’s new report on democratic reform (‘Politics by People’) at Labour Party conference on the 25th September. You can read about...Posted 26 Sep 2016