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Ian Blackford
Campaign Regulation

PM and ministers challenged over plans to disenfranchise voters on an ‘industrial scale’

The Elections Bill ‘is a solution in desperate search of a problem that simply does not exist’, one MP told...

Government research half of those without photo ID would not apply for free photo ID
Voter ID

On the anniversary of the equal franchise, new government plans will undermine the right to vote

The 2nd July is the anniversary of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act. The act granted equal voting rights to women...

For cash-strapped councils, this policy is an expensive distraction
ERS Scotland

After a council voted to oppose mandatory voter ID, more could follow suit

A council in Scotland will write to the Prime Minister to formally oppose plans to bring in voter ID at...

Preferential voting has become the US' most popular and most bipartisan reform idea
Devolution

As New Yorkers vote in their first preferential primary, in the UK it is under threat

Voters in New York City were able to participate in their first preferential voting (called Ranked Choice Voting or RCV...

In a two-bloc system, voters decide the relative strengths of factions within the government
Electoral Reform in Westminster

The Two-Bloc System: Scandinavia’s Best Kept Secret?

We thought we’d look at a unique aspect of Sweden, Norway and Denmark’s political cultures – the two-bloc system –...

ERS online meeting

ERS General Meeting

The Society’s Council called a General Meeting of members on 30 July at 6pm, which took place online via Zoom....

House of Lords
House of Lords

Could the courts shine a light on the revolving door to the House of Lords?

We’ve long called for an end to the political nepotism that distorts appointments to the House of Lords. But now,...

In a General Election, that means tens of thousands of voters being denied a say
Campaign Regulation

Government confirms plans for ‘2022 Elections Bill’ – including making it harder to vote

Among an eclectic mix of changes, the bill will contain provisions to impose mandatory voter ID for Westminster elections and...

The government is extending political influence over what should be a neutral body
Campaign Regulation

These government plans represent a takeover of our independent election watchdog

Ministers have announced plans that gut the UK’s independent Electoral Commission, representing a power grab over election scrutiny.  

House of Lords
House of Lords

There is nothing democratic about these by-elections

While the Conservatives' shock loss in the Chesham and Amersham by-election might dominate the headlines, Liberal Democrat Sarah Green MP...

A handful of aristocrats are picking who can vote on our laws and claim expenses for life
House of Lords

Britain’s most messed-up ‘elections’ are about to restart

Six aristocrats will join the House of Lords over the next month, following the announcement of candidates for Britain's most...

New Zealand’s party system is a strong contender for what might happen if Britain moved to PR
Electoral Reform in Westminster

What would the party system look like if the UK had proportional representation?

By looking at the experiences of similar countries and the devolved governments, we can see which kinds of party system...