The Reformer

All Around the World Basics Case Study Current Affairs Commentary Developments at the ERS ERS Cymru ERS Northern Ireland ERS Report Launch ERS Scotland Featured Polling Your Questions Answered
Prospective MPs shouldn’t have to move house if they want a realistic chance of entering parliament
Electoral Reform in Westminster

First Past the Post locks many talented people out of politics

This week, Politics Home reported that Regional Tories Are Snubbing Parachuted MP Candidates In Favour Of “Local Champions”. It seems...

First Past the Post hands a small group of voters disproportionate power
Electoral Reform in Westminster

Where are the policies for renters? First Past the Post keeps the focus on homeowners

With the current cost-of-living crisis and soaring interest rates, mortgages and mortgage holders are all anybody can talk about, including...

In 2023 the global proportion of women parliamentarians just was 26 point 5 percent
Women in Politics

Proportional representation helped women get elected in 2022

In January 2023, the global proportion of women parliamentarians just was 26.5%, indicating that there’s a way to go before...

ERS Rules tennis
Electoral Reform in Westminster

Should the ERS look at the rules for… Tennis?

As tennis players line up for the Wimbledon semi-finals, and candidates hit the doorstep for multiple by-elections, we’ve been thinking...

There is a long history of honours list scandals
House of Lords

How honourable are honours lists?

Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list caused quite a kerfuffle between the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) and the current...

The Government needs to scrap this ill thought through and unnecessary scheme
Voter ID

Now we know at least 14,000 were blocked from voting, voter ID should be scrapped

On the 23rd June, the Electoral Commission published their provisional report on the rollout of voter ID. One figure stands...

Electoral Reform in Westminster

Welsh Government to introduce progressive electoral reforms

Last week in the Senedd, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the Welsh Government’s plans for legislation for the next year....

Recent days have revealed the grubby horse-trading that goes on to decide who sits in the House of Lords
House of Lords

The row over Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list highlights why it should be the last

The recent days have seen the national focus pulled onto the House of Lords through the public row between Rishi...

If an association donates under 25000 a year no questions are asked
Money in Politics

There is a dangerous loophole in our political financing rules

Shadowy dining clubs and millions of pounds in donations. This is the realm of ‘unincorporated associations’ one of the least-regulated...

Voters are much more likely to have a councillor they actually voted for
ERS Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s local elections show the benefit of the Single Transferable Vote

On the 18th of May, Northern Ireland’s local elections showcased the continued successful use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV)....

Leading politicians
Electoral Reform in Westminster

Hundreds of activists gather to tell MPs to Sort the System

Support for proportional representation is growing. In the past few months, we’ve seen more and more people saying it’s time...

The question of who gets to vote is more complicated than you might think
Devolution

Exploring the franchise: Who can vote in UK elections?

The franchise has been in the news recently due to Labour considering plans to extend the franchise to resident EU...