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72% of Londoners backed the proposals, which included a Mayor elected via the Supplementary Vote

Local democracy

24 years ago the Greater London Authority Act gained royal assent

This weekend (11th November) marks the 24th anniversary of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 gaining royal assent. The Greater...

Here is what we would like to see in a King’s Speech that was serious about repairing our democracy

Electoral Reform in Westminster

The political reforms that were lacking from the King’s Speech

Democracy was a conspicuous omission from yesterday’s King’s Speech. The pomp and ceremony of the occasion was the government’s last...

Local democracy

First Past the Post in mayoral elections means less choice and a weaker voice

This week, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he is facing his ‘toughest election yet’ but why is...

When voters have an electoral system that works for them, Independent councillors get elected

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Why independent candidates win with the Single Transferable Vote

Currently, there are 14 independent MPs in the House of Commons, which might seem to suggest Independent candidates can win...

ERS Scotland

ERS Scotland makes the case for local democracy innovation at Scottish Greens’ Conference

When citizens come together to make plans about the place they know best, Scotland’s towns, cities and villages can flourish....

Electoral Reform in Westminster

How proportional representation worked in the Polish election

With a population of around 40 million, Poland is the European Union’s fifth largest member and by far the largest...

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Latest by-elections reveal flaws of First Past the Post

The two UK parliamentary by-elections, held on 19 October 2023, saw some dramatic outcomes. In Mid Bedfordshire, Labour overturned the...

Darren Hughes and Mick Antoniw at Labour Conference

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Democracy is major theme at Labour conference

Following last year’s successful motion on proportional representation, electoral reform and improving our democracy remained some of the biggest topics...

What is the best route to powerful communities? (Scottish Green Conference)

Innovations in Local Democracy: What is the best route to powerful communities? A vibrant and powerful local democracy creates the...

Conservative Action for Electoral Reform

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Making the case for electoral reform at Conservative Conference

As a non-partisan organisation, we attend all the major party conferences to make the case for electoral reform. There is...

The first time you have needed photo ID to vote in an election in Scotland

ERS Scotland

Voter ID makes its unwelcome Scottish debut in Rutherglen and Hamilton West

If you live in Rutherglen and Hamilton West and are registered to vote, tomorrow is the day you can go...

ERS Scotland

Lesley Riddoch’s State of Scottish Democracy lecture

Thank you to everyone who made it along to hear author and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch, present the second of our...