There’s a ‘something for nothing’ culture in the Lords. It’s time for Lords reformEmma Levin reflects on our recent House of Lords research While their role is supposedly to scrutinise government, it is the House of Lords that should be coming under increased scrutiny, following revelations today. Just...Posted 21 Sep 2017
Citizens’ Assembly on Brexit: reflections on the first weekendThe Citizens’ Assembly on Brexit has just begun its work. The project’s director, Alan Renwick, here offers some initial, personal reflections on a highly successful first weekend. The Citizens’ Assembly on Brexit has just completed its first weekend...Posted 16 Sep 2017
You did it: Parliament is going to debate adopting fair votesEarlier this year, the scale of public anger at our broken voting system was revealed. Despite no General Election being on the horizon at the time – and starting from scratch – voters shattered expectations:...Posted 14 Sep 2017
The abandoned boundary review could be a big opportunityIt was reported today in The Times that the planned review of constituency boundaries and cut in MPs may be scrapped due to opposition in Parliament. If the report is to be believed, the Boundary...Posted 06 Sep 2017
2017 General Election ResultsWhile Labour achieved a nearly proportional result, getting just over 40 percent of the seats on 40 percent of the vote, the Conservatives took a skewed seat-share, with just under 49 percent of the seats...Posted 29 Aug 2017
It’s time for Westminster to join Scotland in shunning First Past the PostFirst Past the Post elections are like trying to peel potatoes with a chainsaw. For much of the UK, people have come to think this clunking old method of giving people a say is the same as...Posted 24 Aug 2017
The myth that Westminster’s voting system is ‘strong and stable’ has been bust for goodIf ‘strong and stable’ has been the motto of Parliament’s First Past the Post voting system, June 5th put an end to that myth once and for all. For the third time in a row,...Posted 24 Aug 2017
June 2017’s election was the third strike for Westminster’s voting system. It’s outThe evidence is there for us all to see now: the 2017 General Election was the third strike for the First Past the Post voting system. From producing a Parliament where no party got more...Posted 21 Aug 2017
We have a chance to revitalise British democracy – I look forward to leading the pushOn Monday I began my role as Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society – the world’s longest-standing pro-democracy group. I join at a time of huge change for democracy in the UK. The ERS has grown...Posted 08 Aug 2017
Wales tears down barriers to democracy as England fortifies themLast week Wales has shown just what devolution can do: allow new ways of doing democracy. On Tuesday the Welsh government launched a consultation that has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes...Posted 27 Jul 2017