The Reformer

Local communities must be the foundation on which we build Scotland’s recovery

The pandemic has given us a fresh insight into what we already knew about Scotland’s communities; people will sacrifice their...

Hereditary peers account for more than one tenth of an already bloated House of Lords

Hereditary Peers highlight the absurdity of our system and the case for reform

Momentum is building for wholesale reform of the House of Lords, as hereditary peerages are under public scrutiny after a...

Imposing a broken system, without public support, can only serve to undermine these positions

We can’t let the government force a broken system on important elections

This week, Home Secretary Priti Patel laid out new plans as part of a review into the role of Police...

Ministers need to tackle the main impediment to voting

There are big reasons some people won’t vote this May – and it’s not just Covid

When one party takes all – on a fraction of the vote – people understandably feel alienated and voiceless, and...

With all the challenges facing the country right now why is this on the priority list

Making it easier for unpopular candidates to become Mayors turns back the clock

These are deeply concerning plans to change our elections.

The New Foundations

Labour and progressive thinkers to present Keir Starmer with vision for ‘real democracy’

Keir Starmer will be presented with a vision for a pro-democracy overhaul of Westminster and the economy on Sunday (21st March),...

Another example of the government missing the mark when it comes electoral integrity

Why voter ID is the opposite of what we need to improve our elections

That there is growing opposition to government plans to introduce mandatory voter ID should come as no surprise. Requirements to...

What can we learn from the evolution of English devolution?

There has been considerable discussion about the ‘Union’ and efforts to save it in recent months, given the increasing support...

Electoral systems play a big role in the number of women elected

International Women’s Day: How Westminster’s voting system is holding back gender equality

What’s clear is that Westminster’s out-dated structures aren’t allowing the fair representation Britain needs. That’s bad news for everyone.

House of Lords

Why are there still hereditary peers in the House of Lords?

The ancient triumvirate of the British constitution – the Monarchy, the Lords and the Commons – is a historical trait...

Voters in Northern Ireland demand more transparency in politics

New research by the Electoral Commission has shown the public in Northern Ireland wants to see more transparency in politics....

UK government’s mandatory voter ID plans slammed by US civil rights groups

Leading US civil rights groups have sounded the alarm over UK government plans to exclude those who lack ID from...