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

On Monday MPs have a chance to pass an election bill that actually works

Opposition MPs have tabled amendments on reforming our voting system that would improve our elections for voters across the country. On Monday the government’s elections bill returns to the House of Commons. Along with other...

Posted 14 Jan 2022

MPs propose proportional representation amendments to the Elections Bill

The government should stop and re-think Elections Bill as it returns to the Commons

The government’s Elections Bill returns to the House of Commons on Monday 17th January despite the opposition against their plans growing from all sides of the chamber. The bill has faced fierce opposition from campaigners,...

Posted 14 Jan 2022

The Elections Bill will hand huge powers to the government over our elections

Not what it says on the tin: 8 political parties that could do with a name change

There are some parties you come across where there is a total disconnect between the name and the party. Names that are so counter-intuitive or perplexing that you can only wonder why they haven’t changed...

Posted 10 Jan 2022

How are Presidents elected around Europe?

2022 is a big year for presidential elections in Europe – with the Italian, German and French presidencies all open over the next few months.

Posted 05 Jan 2022

As Portugal heads to the polls – how do Portuguese elections work?

Portugal is holding a snap election at the end of the month after parliament rejected the budget proposed by António Costa’s government last autumn.

Posted 04 Jan 2022

Even senior MPs agree the government needs to pause and rethink the Elections Bill

Earlier this week, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs (PACAC) select committee published the final report of its inquiry into the Elections Bill. In a highly critical report, the influential committee heeded...

Posted 17 Dec 2021

Senior MPs tell government evidence has simply not been good enough

Does First Past the Post stop extremists getting into parliaments?

If you listen to supporters of first past the post, you might be forgiven for thinking that British voters are just itching to elect dozens of far-left and far-right MPs - with PR just waiting...

Posted 15 Dec 2021

With First Past the Post extreme candidates simply join mainstream parties

The top 5 most-read ERS articles from 2021

Every year we have a look through the stats to see which of our articles were the most popular with readers in the year coming to a close. So if you missed them the first...

Posted 13 Dec 2021

Levelling Down: First Past the Post’s impact on regional inequality

Looking at just national disproportionality hides far more damning realities of how First Past the Post (FPTP) distorts the votes of the British public.

Posted 07 Dec 2021

Opposition held safe seats can be easily ignored

Dominic Grieve is just the latest conservative to call for a halt to the Elections Bill

While the Elections Bill is not expected to return to parliament until the new year, opposition is still growing against this dangerous legislation. The most recent conservative to speak out is former Attorney General, Dominic...

Posted 07 Dec 2021