The public need a say on where power will lie after Brexit So Theresa May has fleshed out her plans for Britain leaving the EU and becoming an independent self-governing nation. With more detail emerging about the economic plan, it’s time to look at the democratic implications. Serious thinking... Posted 18 Jan 2017
Compulsory voter ID would only add to Britain’s democratic deficit In true festive spirit, the government chose December 27 to respond to former local government minister Eric Pickles’ proposals to tackle alleged voter fraud in UK elections. Sadly, the response isn’t much of a belated Christmas present... Posted 04 Jan 2017
MPs are getting organised for a fairer voting system Last month, we saw a symbolic step forward in the Parliamentary push for fair votes. 16 Parliamentarians gathered in Portcullis House on the 29th November for the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Proportional... Posted 14 Dec 2016
Local democracy in Scotland needs all of us Here’s a fact for you: a quarter of Scots in a recent BMG poll for the ERS said they would rather finish the ironing than go and vote in a council election. While our commitment to neat... Posted 12 Dec 2016
Cutting numbers can’t be the end of the road for Lords reform It’s a sad but true fact that, in general, it’s not good news that brings the need for Lords reform to the fore in British politics. But on Monday, a packed chamber of Peers gathered... Posted 07 Dec 2016
Missing in Richmond: voter choice Well, the results are in. Campaigners campaigned, and voters voted. But not all was well. Because the elephant in the room in this by-election was the absence of something that should be a given in... Posted 02 Dec 2016
Adeiladu Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cryfach ("Ni mynd i fod angen cwch mwy…") Adeiladu Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cryfach ( “Ni mynd i fod angen cwch mwy…”) O ystyried y swnami sydd wedi siglo ein gwleidyddiaeth y flwyddyn hon, gall ymddangos yn amser anffodus i drafod yr angen am fwy... Posted 01 Dec 2016
Building a stronger National Assembly, or why ‘We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat…’ Given the tidal waves that have rocked our politics this year, it may seem an unusual time to be discussing the need for more Assembly Members. In a year of populist shocks and rhetoric, the... Posted 01 Dec 2016
Wedi Brexit, mae’n hen bryd cael Senedd mwy a chryfach ‘Boed i chi fyw mewn cyfnod difyr’ medd yr hen dywediad Tseiniaidd. A ni all neb gwadu ein bod yn gwneud hynny ar hyn o bryd: mae Brexit, systemau pleidiol mewn fflwcs, a chyfansoddiad mewn... Posted 30 Nov 2016
After Brexit, it’s time for a bigger, stronger Senedd ‘May you live in interesting times’ goes the old Chinese curse. And few could deny that we do: Brexit, a party system in flux, and a constitution in tumult all mark new times for the... Posted 29 Nov 2016