ERS in the Press: January 2022Scandal and crisis at the heart of government have dominated the news as we begin 2022. Yet in a packed news cycle of covid regulation breaking parties in Downing Street, and a pantomime-esque will-they-won’t-they over...Posted 04 Feb 2022
The government aren’t listening – make your voices heard on 5th FebruaryJoin the Elections Bill Rally in Parliament Square. The passing of the government’s Election Bill through the House of Commons last week was a huge blow to democracy. It now heads to the Lords, with...Posted 28 Jan 2022
Now it’s over to the Lords to prevent the government’s assault on democracyYesterday was a dark day for democracy. Despite widespread opposition from campaigners, election experts, academics and civil society the government’s Elections Bill successfully passed through the commons. The Bill includes clauses introducing voter ID, more...Posted 18 Jan 2022
On Monday MPs have a chance to pass an election bill that actually worksOpposition MPs have tabled amendments on reforming our voting system that would improve our elections for voters across the country. On Monday the government’s elections bill returns to the House of Commons. Along with other...Posted 14 Jan 2022
The government should stop and re-think the 2022 Elections Bill as it returns to the CommonsThe government’s Elections Bill returns to the House of Commons on Monday 17th January despite the opposition against their plans growing from all sides of the chamber. The bill has faced fierce opposition from campaigners,...Posted 14 Jan 2022
Even senior MPs agree the government needs to pause and rethink the 2022 Elections BillEarlier this week, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs (PACAC) select committee published the final report of its inquiry into the Elections Bill. In a highly critical report, the influential committee heeded...Posted 17 Dec 2021
Levelling Down: First Past the Post’s impact on regional inequalityLooking at just national disproportionality hides far more damning realities of how First Past the Post (FPTP) distorts the votes of the British public.Posted 07 Dec 2021
Dominic Grieve is just the latest conservative to call for a halt to the 2022 Elections BillWhile the Elections Bill is not expected to return to parliament until the new year, opposition is still growing against this dangerous legislation. The most recent conservative to speak out is former Attorney General, Dominic...Posted 07 Dec 2021
A Labour Peer is trying to abolish hereditary peers (again)There is overwhelming support for reform but Friday once again showed there is little chance of it succeeding. On Friday 3rd December, for the fourth time in just five years, Labour peer Lord Bruce Grocott...Posted 07 Dec 2021
We must end the link between safe seats and second jobsThe most revealing type of political scandal is not the one where rules have been broken, but the ones where they haven’t. Where crisis has erupted over conduct that sits very comfortable within current parliamentary...Posted 26 Nov 2021