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COP26 shows we need to democratise to decarbonise

In the run up to the COP26 climate change conference, a coalition of leading democracy organisations joined together on a campaign to put strong democracy at the heart of any response. The campaign’s message was...

Posted 26 Nov 2021

What is the ideal number of MPs per constituency in proportional representation?

When choosing a proportional voting system, one of the most important decisions is the number of MPs each constituency elects – its ‘district magnitude.

Posted 26 Nov 2021

The smaller the constituency, the less proportional the results

Labour and Plaid Cymru deal is a big step forward for Wales’ democracy

This week saw a historic moment in Wales. Standing on the steps of the Senedd on Monday afternoon, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price announced The Co-operation Agreement, setting out...

Posted 23 Nov 2021

Hefty majorities become hefty bank balances with MPs’ outside jobs

As the second jobs scandal engulfs Westminster, the same line keeps being rolled out by government figures: If voters didn’t like their MPs pocketing sizeable sums from second jobs, they wouldn’t keep re-electing them.

Posted 15 Nov 2021

As long as we have First Past the Post there is little voters can do about it

What’s the difference between open and closed list proportional representation?

When discussing proportional voting systems, or voting systems in general, we usually talk about how they allocate seats to political parties. But parliaments are more than parties and it also matters how they decide which...

Posted 15 Nov 2021

Within Europe semi-open lists are the norm

The aristocratic by-elections continue to make a mockery out of our democracy

On the 9th and 10th November, the House of Lords will be hosting their fifth hereditary peer by-election this year. The House of Lords Act 1999 led to the removal of all but 90 hereditary...

Posted 08 Nov 2021

The next phase of Lords reform is now long overdue

Labour’s Mark Drakeford calls for “radical reform” of the electoral system

Mark Drakeford has thrown his support behind changes to how MPs are elected calling for ‘radical reform’ of Westminster’s electoral system. The First Minister of Wales made the remarks at the 2021 Aneurin Bevan Memorial...

Posted 28 Oct 2021

How anyone clings to the notion... [First Past the Post], is best for working people simply baffles me

Was there a referendum on proportional representation?

Whenever a conversation online comes to proportional representation, you can set your watch by the appearance of someone claiming that ‘we had a referendum on that!’. Advocates of the way things are in Westminster argue...

Posted 28 Oct 2021

Unite’s vote to oppose First Past the Post is an important shift in campaign for fair votes

Unite members have voted to oppose Westminster’s First Past the Post electoral system, pledging support for moves towards a new voting system in UK elections. “Today, Unite Policy Conference voted to support Proportional Representation in Westminster elections for...

Posted 22 Oct 2021

Unite Policy Conference voted to support Proportional Representation in Westminster

Expensive Voter ID scheme is neither necessary nor proportionate

The UK government’s Election Bill containing controversial Voter ID provisions is progressing with haste through parliament this month, despite significant alarm over its potential impact. Whilst the government claims the bill will increase ballot security,...

Posted 22 Oct 2021