Why are our mayors winning on less than 30% of the vote? This past week’s mayoral elections marked a worrying milestone for democracy in England. For the first time ever, two combined authority mayors have been elected on less than 30% of the vote – with one... Posted 07 May 2025
The end of the two-party system? What the experts are saying about the 2025 local elections Since the votes cast in the local elections were counted on Friday there has been extensive debate among experts and in the media about whether we are seeing the end of the two-party system. This... Posted 07 May 2025
Are we going to see Mayors elected with even lower levels of public support in 2025? Four Combined Authority mayors will be elected on 1 May 2025, but changes to the rules could see mayors taking power with little public support locally. Voters are going to the polls in the following... Posted 24 Apr 2025
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
First Past the Post again set to produce random results at English local elections With four weeks to go before English local authority elections, which will be held on 1 May 2025, this week saw the announcement of candidates for each of the divisions or wards where local councillors... Posted 03 Apr 2025
Liberal Democrats sense growing opportunities on proportional representation as they assemble for 2025 Spring Conference The Liberal Democrats assembled in the picturesque Yorkshire town of Harrogate this weekend for their spring conference, where they discussed how to build on their success in the general election and maximise the impact of... Posted 24 Mar 2025
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
English devolution and local government reorganisation highlight need for PR at local level Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, has announced the latest stage of the UK government’s plans for devolution and local government re-organisation within England. Six... Posted 11 Feb 2025
Positive statements on restoring the electoral system for Mayors and PCCs There have been positive noises from government ministers on repairing one part of the damage done to our democracy by the previous government. At the Local Government Association conference this week, government minister Jim McMahon... Posted 24 Oct 2024
Local elections: A third of the vote shouldn’t make a mayor The local and mayoral elections saw the corrosive impact First Past the Post is having on our democracy writ large. Not only did we witness its continued distorting effect on local council elections, with a... Posted 08 May 2024