The Reformer

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the responsibility is now squarely on political parties to step up
Senedd

Why the next Senedd could be the least representative of women ever

The Senedd hit the headlines back in 2003 when it became the first legislature in the world to reach 50:50...

Five days of committee and close to 150 amendments all for a two page bill
House of Lords

House of Lords spends forty hours debating themselves

Last night at 10.20PM, the committee of the whole House of Lords on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill...

We'll be fostering a new generation of voters who will go on to become voting adults
Votes at 16

We should extend the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, here’s why

The Government was elected on a manifesto promise to “increase the engagement of young people in our vibrant democracy by...

The system is more akin to a private members club than a national legislature
House of Lords

It’s not just hereditary peers that are ‘hard to justify’ – It’s the whole unelected chamber

Before Labour won the 2024 general election, the Labour leader in the House of Lords hinted that if Labour were...

Jess Blair and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
ERS Cymru

In discussion with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS: Threats, Challenges and Opportunities for Welsh Democracy

Last weekend, Plaid Cymru members gathered in Llandudno for their Spring Conference as they begin to set their sights on...

Asked whether ending voter ID was on the table the minister said No its not
Voter ID

The government can do better than this on voter ID

Since voter ID was imposed in 2023, we know voters have been turned away from polling stations over 40,000 times...

Lib Dem spring conference 2025
Electoral Reform in Westminster

Liberal Democrats sense growing opportunities on proportional representation as they assemble for 2025 Spring Conference

The Liberal Democrats assembled in the picturesque Yorkshire town of Harrogate this weekend for their spring conference, where they discussed...

Access key details about elections candidates and polling arrangements
ERS Cymru

We called for a one stop shop for election information – it’s now coming to Wales

On Tuesday, the Senedd approved regulations establishing the Welsh Voter Information Platform, as required by Section 26 of the Elections...

A Scottish Spring

A Scottish Spring: Building a Democracy fit for the 21st Century

Scotland is entering a new era in public life. The last decade has been dominated by the aftermath and consequences...

116 amendments were tabled for the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
House of Lords

‘Procedural shenanigans’ as peers debate their own reform

The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill is being debated again this week in the House of Lords. This bill,...

The disjointed approach to electoral law has led to a disjointed electoral landscape
Voter ID

Electoral administrators call for an overhaul of elections

A fresh call for modernising democracy came last week from the people that run our elections. The Association of Electoral...

When it comes to local government, especially in England, the picture isn’t always straightforward
English Local Democracy

What are the different types of local government in England?

Understanding how the different levels of government in the UK can sometimes feel like piecing together a tricky puzzle. At...