News and Comment

The latest news and commentary from the Electoral Reform Society.

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A stagnating Senedd?

In general, diversity in Parliaments is on the rise across the UK and the world. But it’s by no means inevitable, or uniform – and making our often archaic institutions reflect the public they represent...

Posted 25 Apr 2016

Why the SNP are Scotland’s new predominant party

On Wednesday, ERS Scotland launched a major new report, One Party To Rule Them All: Does Scotland Have A Predominant-Party Problem?. That concept of a “predominant-party system” – popularised by the political scientist Giovanni Sartori –...

Posted 20 Apr 2016

Let’s make sure every voice is heard in Wales

There are now just a couple of weeks until the Welsh Assembly election. Parties are coming out with their policies for the next Assembly thick and fast. So we’re calling on parties to revitalise democracy in...

Posted 18 Apr 2016

Democratiaeth ac Amrwyiaeth: Creu Cymru i Bawb

Darllenwch ein maniffesto, “Democratiaeth ac Amrwyiaeth: Creu Cymru i Bawb”, yma Yn y bôn, mae democratiaeth yn ddathliad o amrywiaeth. Mae democratiaeth yn mynnu bod y dadleuon yn cael eu profi, craffu a’u gwirio, o’u...

Posted 15 Apr 2016

A diverse democracy: Building a Wales for all

At its heart, democracy is a celebration of variety. Democracy requires that arguments are tested, scrutinised and checked, from inception to delivery. That’s why it’s important that the backgrounds of those doing that are as...

Posted 15 Apr 2016

The Other EU Referendum

With only 76 days until polls open in Britain’s EU referendum there is now a diminishing amount of time before the campaign reaches its zenith. Yet, it may have escaped the notice of many Britons...

Posted 07 Apr 2016

Mind the #EUref Generation Gap

It’s no news that young people are seen as disengaged from formal politics. But research we released at the weekend shows just how deep that runs when it comes to the EU referendum. We’ve revealed a worrying...

Posted 04 Apr 2016

The Irish election: How PR can keep the local link

The General Election in Ireland last month was an earthquake in Irish politics. Ireland now has a vastly more diverse political landscape, with the results a reflection of a major decline in party loyalties –...

Posted 29 Mar 2016