Big win as government commits to restoring independence of Electoral CommissionWe just saw a significant victory when it comes to ensuring the independence of our elections watchdog. It came during the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill on Monday, which is the...Posted 04 Mar 2026
Gorton and Denton intensifies debate about Westminster’s failing voting systemThe streets of Gorton and Denton will be much quieter this week after the flashmob of party activists has now departed. Last Thursday’s poll saw a historic win for the Greens and their first ever...Posted 04 Mar 2026
Here’s how we’ve briefed MPs ahead of the next reading of the Representation of the People BillOn Monday 2nd March, MPs will gather for the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill – a welcomed and vital opportunity to discuss a fairer and more representative democracy for all. It will extend the...Posted 26 Feb 2026
Missing, in-action: What happened to the bill to remove the Hereditary Peers?It is not often we get to indulge in the mystery genre here at the ERS; however, this blog will delve into the curious incident of the missing Hereditary Peers bill. The bill, a straightforward...Posted 25 Feb 2026
It’s a three-horse race! First Past the Post isn’t fit for purpose in Gorton and DentonThe Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election, scheduled for Thursday 26 February, has garnered much media attention. The outcome will be closely scrutinised by commentators for what it might mean for various political parties and leaders....Posted 25 Feb 2026
Government right to reverse the decision to postpone these local electionsThe fundamental principle of democracy is that people get to regularly express their view on the politicians who make decisions that affect them. So it is welcome that the government has today reversed the decision...Posted 16 Feb 2026
Westminster’s dirty secret – what lobbying in Britain looks like and how we clean it upLobbying is a word that can be used to describe all manner of sins in Westminster. It has hit the headlines again courtesy of Peter Mandelson and his relationship to convicted paedophile Epstein. But what...Posted 12 Feb 2026
Elections bill will bring in once-in-a-generation change to voting – but misses big opportunityToday sees the first reading of the Representation of the People Bill, the government’s landmark legislation reforming how elections work. This promises to make some fundamental reforms to the way we vote, as well as...Posted 12 Feb 2026
MPs form new cross-party group aimed at wholesale Lords reformThis week, MPs and peers from across the political spectrum announced plans to form a new all-party parliamentary group on ‘wholesale’ Lords reform. The trigger was the very real sight of unelected peers using obscure...Posted 10 Feb 2026
How can someone be removed from the House of Lords?When peers make headlines for the wrong reasons, the same question inevitably arises: how do you actually remove someone from the House of Lords? The recent cases of Lord Mandelson and Baroness Mone have thrust...Posted 04 Feb 2026