It’s time we stopped arguing about the TV debates – and guaranteed real choice for voters Tonight’s first round of television debates has been mired in controversy. Not over policies – but the format, with the SNP and Lib Dems mounting an unsuccessful legal challenge to being excluded. It’s not necessarily... Posted 19 Nov 2019
We should be scrutinising candidates and policies. Instead the talk is of tactics and pacts Judging by the first week of the general election campaign, it seems likely that the remaining month will see a lot of focus on ‘tactical’ issues. We’ve already seen electoral pacts, or parties standing down... Posted 13 Nov 2019
What is tactical voting and why is it bad for democracy? In a Westminster election, tactical voting takes place when a voter chooses a candidate whom they wouldn’t normally support, in order to prevent another candidate from winning. For example, if you want to vote for... Posted 12 Nov 2019
What is a hung parliament? Across the country, a total of 650 Members of Parliament are elected to the Commons, with one per constituency. Under Westminster’s first past the post electoral system each MP doesn’t need to be supported by... Posted 06 Nov 2019
Three issues that need tackling this General Election Let’s use this election as a chance to re-build democracy on stronger and fairer foundations As the UK prepares for its next general election in December, it is important to revise what needs to be... Posted 05 Nov 2019
Could social media warp the next General Election? Facebook recently triggered a major public debate by changing its rules on posts by political campaigners. Previously these had been open to ‘fact-checking’ by trusted organisations. However, the new decision means the site will not... Posted 29 Oct 2019
Scotland’s Citizens’ Assembly: What can it do to be a success? This piece is a guest post from Conor Black. Conor is a former student of the University of Glasgow who wrote his MRes dissertation on ‘Mini-Publics in the Deliberative System’. The first meeting of the... Posted 22 Oct 2019
Why our next General Election will be an unfair lottery Over the past century, our society and democracy have been transformed almost beyond recognition. As voting habits have changed, one thing becoming increasingly clear: Westminster’s voting system of First Past the Post fails time and... Posted 21 Oct 2019
Dark ads and dodgy donors: How the Queen’s Speech missed a chance to protect our democracy There was a conspicuous silence in the Queen’s Speech on Monday. Despite announcing a bill to protect ‘electoral integrity’ (by making it harder for us all to vote), there was inaction on updating Britain’s outdated... Posted 18 Oct 2019
In Wales, votes at 16 is one step closer to reality As the Welsh Assembly takes a historic step towards extending voting to 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales, Daniel Priestley – Law Student at Cardiff University currently on placement with the Electoral Reform Society shares how the... Posted 17 Oct 2019