Local Elections: Frequently Asked QuestionsIn the run-up to the May local elections we often hear the same questions being asked by concerned voters. We thought we’d collect together the answers for some of the most frequently asked questions, we...Posted 17 Apr 2023
Why did the Netherlands adopt nationwide proportional representation?The Dutch prioritised proportionality above all else when creating their system of proportional representation; choosing a single nationwide constituency and a very low threshold. This is different to most countries which try to balance local...Posted 01 Apr 2023
With just weeks to go awareness of voter ID remains worryingly lowWith less than six weeks to May’s local elections, the problems with the government’s rollout of their disastrous rollout of voter ID are clearer than ever. As we race towards polling day concerns about the...Posted 28 Mar 2023
New polling shows 61% oppose Boris Johnson’s resignation peeragesOur new polling has found that just one in 14 people (7%) support Boris Johnson stuffing more peers into the already bulging House of Lords with his resignation honours list. Polling of 2,050 people, conducted...Posted 28 Mar 2023
What was AV+ the electoral system recommended by the Jenkins Report?In their 1997 election manifesto, Labour set out a commitment to hold a referendum on the current First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system. This referendum was never called, however the Labour Party, with support...Posted 27 Mar 2023
Why do so many parties use transferable voting for their leadership elections?The 27th of March sees the announcement of the results of the SNP leadership election. As we wrote a few weeks ago, the SNP uses the Alternative Vote to elect their leader – and they’re...Posted 24 Mar 2023
How do Finland’s elections work?On Sunday 2nd April, voters in Finland will go to the polls to elect a new parliament. Finland’s parliament, known locally as the Eduskunta, contains exactly 200 MPs. 199 of these are elected by Party...Posted 20 Mar 2023
How many countries around the world use proportional representation?This article was updated in November 2025. Proportional representation is the most popular form of democracy for countries in the world today. Proportional Representation isn’t one electoral system though, it’s the simple idea that the...Posted 20 Mar 2023
How we could make the House of Lords gender equal overnightIt is a quiet scandal that 105 years after women first won the vote they are still grossly under-represented in Parliament. Women make up just over a third of MPs in the Commons and the...Posted 08 Mar 2023
What elections should the next government reform?Last week we published a blog on UK electoral reforms since 1997 and highlighted that whilst at Westminster the fight for electoral reform continues, the progress of reform across the UK increased and voters are...Posted 08 Mar 2023