The Reformer

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I am a strong supporter of electoral reform
Electoral Reform in Westminster

In Andy Burnham we have the first prime minister who openly backs proportional representation

Andy Burnham’s rise to Downing Street means that for the first time in modern history we have a prime minister...

It is clear there is still a lot more to do
Electoral Reform in Westminster

What legacy does Keir Starmer leave on democratic and electoral reform?

This week we are witnessing an increasingly familiar sight – a change of prime minister. Keir Starmer has left office...

Electoral Reform in Westminster

The problem with tactical voting in Britain’s multi-party politics

At election time, millions of us arrive at the polling station in a conflicted state of mind – do I...

It feels unlikely that we will see a return to two party politics any time soon
Electoral Reform in Westminster

What did the YouGov, Opinium and Survation polling say for June 2026?

June was a very eventful month in British politics. Andy Burnham won the most consequential UK parliamentary by-election for decades,...

Automatic Voter Registration will create a level playing
ERS Cymru

Wales becomes the first UK nation to introduce Automatic Voter Registration

Last week, the Welsh Government laid new regulations to introduce Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) across all 22 Welsh local authorities...

There is nothing more unstoppable than an idea whose time has come and PRs time has come
Electoral Reform in Westminster

What has Andy Burnham said about the voting system?

Westminster has, once again, been engulfed in high theatre. The Prime Minister stood aside on Monday announcing a two-week departure...

Manchesters next mayor will need a broad coalition of support
Mayors

What is the Supplementary Vote, and why is it being used in Manchester?

On Thursday 30 July, Greater Manchester will be electing a new mayor. The by-election follows Andy Burnham’s decision to return...

Instability runs deeper than who currently occupies Number 10
Electoral Reform in Westminster

Keir Starmer’s resignation is the latest product of the chaos of First Past the Post

Today Keir Starmer announced he will be resigning as Prime Minister. It is hard to overstate how remarkable that is....

parliaments that truly represented how the country voted
Electoral Reform in Westminster

The difference between proportional and preferential voting systems – and why it matters

When is an electoral reform not proportional? That question matters because support for scrapping First Past the Post is growing,...

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Polling Breakdown: What did the UK polls say in May 2026?

At the start of May, many eyes were looking towards the elections taking place across large areas of England, as...

Electoral Commission data reveals why we need a donations cap
Money in Politics

Two individuals account for a third of all political donations in latest release

This week the Electoral Commission released data on political donations received in the first quarter of 2026, revealing exactly why we need a full donations...

Proportional representation is about giving voters control over their neighbourhoods
English Local Democracy

A council with no overall control isn’t the same as one with proportional representation

May’s English local elections ended one-party dominance in over 30 councils, with 64 of the 136 councils now under no...