Articles and Insights

Accessible commentary and insights from the Electoral Reform Society on the issues shaping our democracy.

Around the World | Current Affairs Commentary | Developments at the ERS | Your Questions Answered | Case Studies

Is the Scottish Parliament designed to stop a majority?

As we approach the next Scottish parliamentary election, there’s a familiar narrative creeping into the conversation: that the system of proportional representation used in Holyrood is somehow ‘designed to stop a majority.’ It’s a catchy...

Posted 15 Oct 2025

Scotlands AMS system doesnt prevent parties from winning if they genuinely earn it

Why Electoral Commission independence matters

This week, a new report from Spotlight on Corruption highlighted the impact of Electoral Commission independence to the UK’s democratic standing. The report lays bare just how far the UK has slipped since ministers were given...

Posted 30 Sep 2025

The Commission must be accountable to Parliament as a whole - not the government of _the day

How many votes did Labour get in 2024?

On election night in 2024, the headlines celebrated a Labour landslide. Crowds cheered, pundits predicted a bold new direction, and the idea of a strong majority government dominated the conversation. But as the confetti settled,...

Posted 25 Sep 2025

Labour won a commanding majority, even though two-thirds did not vote for the party

MPs suggest National Commission on Electoral Reform

In our increasingly fragmented and volatile political environment, the case for electoral reform becomes clearer every day. And as the political landscape changes, so too will the route to our objective of a fairly elected...

Posted 11 Sep 2025

National Commission on Electoral Reform terms of reference