‘Meet the Lords’ lays bare the scandalous situation in the upper chamberAnother year, another round of Lords scandals. This time, it’s revelations that a peer left a taxi waiting outside Parliament while he went inside to register for his daily £300 allowance – and then return to hop...Posted 28 Feb 2017
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
The inquiry on cutting the Lords risks looking like a stitch upBack in December, the House of Lords voted unanimously to back the statement “that this House believes that its size should be reduced, and methods should be explored by which this could be achieved”. It...Posted 14 Feb 2017
100,000 names for PR: let’s get fair votes on Parliament’s agendaFour months ago, an electoral reform supporter started a petition on the government’s e-petition site to introduce a proportional voting system for Westminster elections. Today, it has over 60,000 signatures – and is growing by the day....Posted 07 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
It’s time to put ‘take back control’ into actionIt’s been a slow path, but the government’s White Paper on Brexit is another step towards giving Parliament a role in the Brexit negotiations. It’s not been without a struggle, though. Because we are still a representative...Posted 03 Feb 2017
Diwygio yn y Senedd a system gyfrannol i lywodraeth leol: wythnos gyffrous i ddemocratiaeth GymruWrth i’r byd wleidyddol gael ei dynnu oddi ar ei hechel mewn mis cyntaf cythryblus yn 2017, gallai faddau i chi os ydych wedi methu rhai datblygiadau yn agenda diwygio etholiadol yng Nghymru. Cadwch o’n...Posted 03 Feb 2017
Senedd reform and local PR: an exciting week for Welsh democracyAs the political world shifts from its axis in a tumultuous first month of 2017, you’d be forgiven for missing on some other developments in the electoral reform agenda in Wales. Whisper it, but all...Posted 02 Feb 2017
It turns out voters have faith in democracy. But we can do betterFrom Donald Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in the US, to the government’s plans for voter ID trials in the UK next year, the (often shaky) notion of widespread abuse in our democratic system has been...Posted 31 Jan 2017