Mind the #EUref Generation GapIt’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
Revealed: voters’ turnout prediction for the EU referendum (and other things)A couple of weeks ago we revealed that just 16% of voters feel well informed about the EU referendum. Today, we can reveal even more. The polling by BMG Research, commissioned by us at the ERS, shows the...Posted 29 Mar 2016
The Irish election: How PR can keep the local linkThe 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
The government should let union members choose how they voteTomorrow, the Chancellor will present his budget for the year ahead. But it’s not the only important thing happening: though it won’t be dominating the headlines, the government’s controversial Trade Union Bill will reach one...Posted 15 Mar 2016
We closed a lobbying loopholeWe’re welcoming a victory today in our campaign to make lobbying in Scotland more transparent. Yesterday we received a letter from the Scottish Minister for Parliamentary Business, Joe Fitzpatrick, stating that the Scottish Government will...Posted 11 Mar 2016
Which Women Win? The 2015 English local electionsThis is a guest post by James Winterbotham, University of Exeter James Winterbotham is an undergraduate student of social sciences and data analysis at the University of Exeter. As part of a team working with...Posted 08 Mar 2016
People feel left in the dark by the EU referendum debateWith less than four months to go before the referendum, the signs are that the EU debate just isn’t reaching the public. Today we publish polling by BMG Research showing that just one in six...Posted 07 Mar 2016
Four Reasons Conservatives Should Support Electoral ReformThe Scottish Conservative Party conference kicks off today, and one of the highlights will be the launch of a new pamphlet, “Light Blue Ideas”, edited by Professor Alan Convery. Alan is a lecturer in politics...Posted 04 Mar 2016
Lessons from referendumsWhile we’re nowhere near Switzerland or California in constantly using referendums, the UK is becoming accustomed to big constitutional votes. In 2011, the ballot on switching to the Alternative Vote was only the second UK-wide...Posted 01 Mar 2016
Obvious Route for Australian Senate Reform IgnoredInterest in the Australian political system has been building over the last couple of weeks over a proposal to make some notable reforms to the electoral system for the Senate. Each of Australia’s six States...Posted 23 Feb 2016