The Reformer

In conversation with founding President and CEO of Fair Vote USA, Rob Richie.

Campaigning for Proportional Representation: Lessons from around the world (Liberal Democrat Conference)

Carl Andrae

How did Denmark get proportional representation?

Denmark today is home to one of the most proportional voting systems in the world, but, for a long time,...

Victor d'Hondt

Why did Belgium adopt proportional representation?

In 1899, Belgium became the first country in the world to adopt a proportional system for national elections. At that...

Switzerland PR cartoon

How did Switzerland get proportional representation?

In the early 1890s, a handful of Swiss cantons (states) held the first public elections in Europe to truly use...

The Republic of Ireland has successfully used STV for over _100 years

How did the Republic of Ireland get proportional representation?

Today, almost every election held on the island of Ireland uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Bar elections for the 18...

New Zealand’s journey provides lessons for the UK

How did New Zealand get proportional representation?

Prior to 1996, MPs were elected to New Zealand’s House of Representatives using the same unrepresentative First Past The Post...

STV has made Australian politics better wherever it is used

The Single Transferable Vote means every vote counts in New South Wales’ local elections

In the closing days of 2021, I braved the scorch of the blistering Australian summer sun, walking through the streets...

Conservative councillor: How the Single Transferable Vote broke open Scotland’s one-party fiefdoms

"With STV, we are trying to steal a march on other parties, while at the same time cooperating for the...

My experience in the Australian Capital Territory has changed my mind

Westminster could learn a lot from the Australian Capital Territory 

Could Australia’s capital show the rest of Australia and Westminster how to be fairer and more representative?

Parties know they can’t just ignore an area or take others for granted

In Ireland, it actually feels like my vote makes a difference

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with...

I was spoilt for choice in candidates

STV allowed me to consider the candidates in greater detail

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with...

At school in Ireland, the STV system was explained to us in Civics class

With STV in Ireland, politicians cannot afford to ignore people

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with...