It’s time for Westminster to join Scotland in shunning First Past the Post First Past the Post elections are like trying to peel potatoes with a chainsaw. For much of the UK, people have come to think this clunking old method of giving people a say is the same as... Posted 24 Aug 2017
The myth that Westminster’s voting system is ‘strong and stable’ has been bust for good If ‘strong and stable’ has been the motto of Parliament’s First Past the Post voting system, June 5th put an end to that myth once and for all. For the third time in a row,... Posted 24 Aug 2017
June 2017’s election was the third strike for Westminster’s voting system. It’s out The evidence is there for us all to see now: the 2017 General Election was the third strike for the First Past the Post voting system. From producing a Parliament where no party got more... Posted 21 Aug 2017
We have a chance to revitalise British democracy – I look forward to leading the push On Monday I began my role as Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society – the world’s longest-standing pro-democracy group. I join at a time of huge change for democracy in the UK. The ERS has grown... Posted 08 Aug 2017
Wales tears down barriers to democracy as England fortifies them Last week Wales has shown just what devolution can do: allow new ways of doing democracy. On Tuesday the Welsh government launched a consultation that has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes... Posted 27 Jul 2017
The results come in for the UK’s most bizarre and elitist election Baron Vaux of Harrowden (or Richard Hubert Gordon Gilbey) has won a seat for life on the basis of 16 (out of 27 cast) aristocrats’ votes. How did we get here? In 1999, the House... Posted 20 Jul 2017
Citizenship education paves the way for votes at 16 With Wales looking to equalise their voting age with Scotland for local elections at 16, we asked our work experience student Carla to explain what impact the citizenship education classes she’d recent completed would have... Posted 19 Jul 2017
It’s time to get the public involved in Brexit The way people talk about ‘Leavers’ and ‘Remainers’ is enough to make you think they have always been at loggerheads – two irreconcilable opponents, fated to oppose each other forever and ever. But it’s not... Posted 12 Jul 2017
The House of Lords is in the midst of yet another hereditary peers’ by-election By Darren Hughes In case you’re not aware of this bizarre constitutional anomaly, in 1999, the House of Lords Act kicked out all but 92 hereditary peers. But instead of reducing that number over time,... Posted 11 Jul 2017
As I move on from the ERS, I know that we can win By Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society Today is my last day at the ERS. What a journey it’s been. My time since joining in 2010 has been an exciting period –... Posted 30 Jun 2017