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Aristocrats are guaranteed representation in our parliament
House of Lords

Hereditary peer by-elections have been paused. They should be scrapped entirely

The House of Lords just keeps getting bigger. Following the PM’s appointment of 36 new unelected peers, each week sees...

It will require rigorous advance planning, costing and communication
Electoral Reform in Westminster

It is possible to hold elections in a pandemic, but we have to start planning for them now

This is a guest article from Sarah Birch,  Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Economy, King’s College London. Elections...

Citizens' Assemblies

What can we learn from the UK Climate Assembly?

September 11, 2020

The UK’s first nationwide citizens’ assembly on climate change came to a close this week, with the launch of its...

ERS Cymru

Wales’ Parliament has long been under-resourced – it’s time to change that

September 11, 2020

With just 60 elected members, Wales’ Parliament has long been under-resourced. But that problem has grown as Wales acquired more...

Electoral Reform in Westminster

ERS in the Press – August 2020

September 4, 2020

As governments respond to the global pandemic, the issue of how voters are represented has not gone away. In fact,...

Abolishing the Electoral Commission would be a dangerous backwards step
Campaign Regulation

Our elections watchdog needs strengthening, not scrapping

You’d think given the rising tide of disinformation, dodgy donations and dark ads online, the government might be getting serious...

House of Lords

Revealed: The true cost of Britain’s silent peers

There are many perks to being a member of the House of Lords. While many peers do work hard, it...

ERS Scotland

Scotland’s loophole ridden lobbying laws are in need of an urgent upgrade

August 17, 2020

Wealth and power can get people access and influence that normal citizens can only imagine. It is, after all, why...

Women in Politics

Political parties – what are your plans to make a more diverse Senedd?

August 17, 2020

On first glance, the Senedd might appear relatively diverse for a political institution in the UK. It made headlines in...

Campaign Regulation

Britain moves closer to shutting down ‘dark ads’ – but we need action now

August 12, 2020

The government has today unveiled new proposals that would require parties and political campaigners to display a digital imprint on...

pile of newspapers
Electoral Reform in Westminster

ERS in the Press – July 2020

Another Lords scandal, fighting for fair votes, and a spotlight on foreign interference: highlights from the ERS' campaigning in July....

House of Lords
House of Lords

The unelected House of Lords is undermining Britain’s reputation

Britain's ability to speak up for democracy abroad has just taken a major self-inflicted hit.