The Reformer

Reforming the House of Lords isn't just about modernising a relic, it's about making our democracy fit for purpose.

Should the House of Lords be reformed?

The bill to remove all 88 hereditary peers from the House of Lords is making its way through the House...

If the Government wants to ensure that we, the voters, trust our democratic institutions, it needs to start with ending the reign of big donors

Is there a limit to political donations in the UK?

Political parties cost money to run. In the UK, they’re funded by a variety of sources, including membership fees, grants,...

In a representative democracy, we ought to have a Parliament that matches the way people voted

What’s wrong with First Past the Post?

First Past the Post (FPTP) is the name for the voting system used to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to...

Our Parliament has made positive steps toward equal representation, but there’s still room for improvement

It’s no accident that there are not enough women in Parliament

Women’s equal representation in Parliament matters for a host of reasons. From the simple fact that 50% of us are...

It makes no difference who many voters in England and Wales vote for

Why all local councils should be elected with proportional representation

If you live in England, you might be casting a vote for a councillor in a local election this May...

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

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...

A real problem with our voting system is that it delivers parliaments which are not proportional

What voting system does the UK use for general elections?

Voting systems are the methods we use to elect representatives, like MPs or local councillors. They lay out rules about...

There are multiple routes into the House of Lords and they are all undemocratic

How are peers appointed to the House of Lords?

The House of Lords is the second chamber of our Parliament. Before bills become laws, they must pass through the...

Under PR you could expect to see parliaments which more accurately reflect votes cast in a general election

How would proportional representation work in the UK?

Proportional Representation (PR) is the idea that seats in parliament should closely match votes cast in an election.  A system...

What are the political donation rules in the UK?

This week the Observer spoke to our director of research, Jess Garland, about the inadequate rules surrounding party funding in...

Parliament’s petition site isn’t a magic route to changing the law

Does the parliamentary petition site make a difference?

The parliamentary petition site is in the news at the moment, as nearly three million people have signed a petition...

Its time to inject new life into our politics by giving the vote to 16 and 17 year olds

When was the voting age reduced from 21 to 18 in the UK?

The UK is no stranger to expanding the franchise. The age you have to be to cast a vote in...