MPs in joint call to ‘protect and strengthen’ the Electoral Commission, 20 years after its foundationThis week marks 20 years since the Electoral Commission was founded. It’s a time for celebration of its successes but also a time to look to its future. That’s why former Digital, Culture, Media and...Posted 04 Dec 2020
ERS in the Press – November 2020In a month dominated by coronavirus and a second national lockdown in England as well as Brexit negotiations, democratic issues have still been in the news and we’ve continued to be at the forefront of...Posted 02 Dec 2020
Happy birthday to the Electoral Commission – now let’s give it the powers it needsThis Monday marks 20 years since the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 received Royal Assent. It was an act which set up the Electoral Commission, the UK’s independent elections watchdog – and tackled...Posted 30 Nov 2020
Boris Johnson might not like devolution but it’s vital for his levelling up planThis article was originally published on inews.co.uk. You could dismiss the comments as classic Boris Johnson bluster. But they vocalise what the views of too many in Westminster when it comes to the devolved nations....Posted 27 Nov 2020
Why we need transparency around the political use of personal dataIn recent years, we’ve talked a lot about the rise of online political campaigning and the impact this can have on our democratic processes – the ERS has been at the forefront of calling for...Posted 26 Nov 2020
20 years since the Electoral Commission was founded, our watchdog needs more cloutMonday 30th November marks the 20th Anniversary of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. In 2000, just 30% of people had internet access at home. Facebook was years from conception. Today, campaigners spend millions each election...Posted 25 Nov 2020
Right to scrap First Past the Post won for Welsh councilsUPDATE: On Wednesday 21st January, the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill became law after receiving Royal Assent. Now the campaign begins to ensure councils in Wales sign up to a fairer voting system, and...Posted 18 Nov 2020
Welsh Parliament to vote on letting councils scrap first past the postLocal government is one of our most important layers of representation, delivering everyday frontline services such as social care and waste collection. Yet, for many people local government doesn’t feel that representative and that’s because...Posted 17 Nov 2020
How MPs are being effectively locked out of Parliament during the pandemicCommons leader Jacob Rees Mogg has announced a partial return to remote proceedings for MPs, after the shocking case of ex-Minister Tracey Crouch – who has cancer – being unable to contribute to a debate...Posted 16 Nov 2020
These US states voted to make elections fairerIn the past two weeks, the flaws of the US electoral system have become plain for all to see. As the dust slowly settles, it’s worth looking at some results that aren’t the presidential race....Posted 13 Nov 2020