The Reformer

Huge parts of this country are effectively competition-free zones

14 Million Voters Are In Seats That Haven’t Changed Hands Since WW2. Here’s Why

Nearly 14 million voters are in seats that have not changed party hands since the Second World War, according to new...

What can we learn from Canada’s Leaders’ Debate Commission?

This election’s televised leaders debates have taken place against a backdrop of endless rows over who should be allowed to...

Record-breaking 30% of the public plan to vote ‘tactically’ in the General Election

Is this the ‘hold your nose’ election? Record-breaking numbers set to vote tactically

Polling from BMG research for the Electoral Reform Society has revealed that a record-breaking 30% of the public plan to...

It is time to talk about our democracy

Democracy Day: On December 5th, it’s time to break the silence on political reform

Few would say with honesty that Westminster is working. So it’s time to talk about how to change it. The...

Google starts to open up on political ads – but who’s setting the rules?

New rules have just come into force at Google, banning political ads which target the public based on their political...

Thomas Wright Hill

The quest for fairer voting

The first recorded election under a proportional representation (PR) system took place on 17 December 1819, when the Birmingham Society...

Time is nearly out to register to vote. Don’t be silenced this election

The election is fast approaching: and it’s time to bring the ‘missing millions’ currently not on the electoral roll into...

What kind of country are we seeking to build

What happens at the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland?

On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October, The Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland kicked off at the Grosvenor Hotel in Edinburgh,...

It’s time we stopped arguing about the TV debates – and guaranteed real choice for voters

Tonight’s first round of television debates has been mired in controversy. Not over policies – but the format, with the...

We should be scrutinising candidates and policies. Instead the talk is of tactics and pacts

Judging by the first week of the general election campaign, it seems likely that the remaining month will see a...

Voters shouldn’t have to change their behaviour to work around first past the post’s failings

What is tactical voting and why is it bad for democracy?

In a Westminster election, tactical voting takes place when a voter chooses a candidate whom they wouldn’t normally support, in...

What is a hung parliament?

Across the country, a total of 650 Members of Parliament are elected to the Commons, with one per constituency. Under...