Electoral reform returns to the agenda in British ColumbiaBritish Columbia, Canada’s most Western province, has often been the site of electoral reform intrigue. In the run-up to the 1952 provincial election the Conservative and Liberal parties tried to stop the socialist Co-operative Commonwealth...Posted 18 May 2017
‘Progressive alliances’ shouldn’t be necessary: they’re product of a broken voting systemThere’s a lot of talk about June 8th being the ‘tactical voting’ election. This past couple of weeks we’ve seen the latest symptom: parties doing the tactical voting on behalf of the electorate – weeks before...Posted 08 May 2017
The next government must extend votes at 16 beyond ScotlandYou might not have realised, but on Thursday, thousands of 16 and 17 year olds trekked to polling stations across the country to exercise their democratic right to vote. They went with the full support...Posted 05 May 2017
Democracy, Diversity and English DevolutionThe excitement of the general election aside, it’s important to remember that there are other important elections coming up – ones that have gone largely under the national radar. As well as important local elections...Posted 19 Apr 2017
An exciting time to join ERS CymruAs she joins us as the new Director of ERS Cymru, Jess Blair sets out the challenges and opportunities for deepening Welsh democracy. In the last twelve months the political landscape across the world has...Posted 14 Mar 2017
A shifting Stormont: The view from the Belfast election countLast week’s surprise election in Northern Ireland, called in the aftermath of the Renewable Heating Scheme (RHI) scandal, yielded a result that few predicted. I spent the Friday of the election at Belfast’s Titanic Exhibition Centre, where...Posted 10 Mar 2017
Northern Ireland’s voting system allows for a more diverse, open politicsLast year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election saw some fascinating developments. From a 50% increase in women’s representation, to the growth of cross-community parties and some surprise upsets, it was testament to an evolving democracy, under...Posted 17 Feb 2017
Senedd reform and local PR: an exciting week for Welsh democracyAs the political world shifts from its axis in a tumultuous first month of 2017, you’d be forgiven for missing on some other developments in the electoral reform agenda in Wales. Whisper it, but all...Posted 02 Feb 2017
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
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