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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

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

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

The government should pause and think again about this legislation

Englishness: The Political Force Transforming Britain

Tuesday 9th November 6-7pm, Zoom #ERSMembersTalks We’re delighted to be joined by Ailsa Henderson and Richard Wyn Jones to discuss their latest book, Englishness: The Political Force Transforming Britain. Until the Brexit referendum, there was...

Posted 21 Oct 2021

“The future is going to be negotiated, not dictated”: Labour figures speak out for PR

Across the country – and increasingly within the Labour party – people are realising that Westminster's rotten system skews not just our politics, but our economy too.

Posted 01 Oct 2021

Scottish Government refuses to recommend consent for 2022 Elections Bill

The Scottish government is standing up to Westminster on legislation that would see voter ID imposed on UK elections held in Scotland. Deputy First Minister John Swinney lodged a ‘legislation consent memorandum’ in the Scottish...

Posted 01 Oct 2021

The Holyrood Government is right to oppose it and should hold firm

80% of CLP back PR but motion falls at Labour Party Conference

On Monday Labour conference debated and voted on a motion to back PR, adding a pledge to their next manifesto. Despite the overwhelming support of local party delegates, 80% of whom supported the campaign for...

Posted 30 Sep 2021

Keir Starmer needs to live up to what he said in his leadership campaign

Labour conference: Party set to vote on supporting vital shift to proportional representation

Labour conference delegates will vote today on whether to back proportional representation, and ditch Westminster’s broken voting system. Attendees will debate the policy shift at the conference in Brighton, which would push the party to...

Posted 27 Sep 2021