The Reformer

In memory of Lord Avebury

On 14th February 2016 Lord Avebury, or Eric Lubbock, sadly passed away. Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat Peer, was a proud democratic...

Call me maybe – why the Scottish Lobbying Bill gets it wrong on digital comms

This is a guest blog, originally published by the Scottish Alliance for Lobbying Transparency. The opinions expressed here are the author’s own...

Charities have nothing to fear from the Scottish Lobbying Bill

This is a guest blog – the opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those...

5 Myths About the Scottish Lobbying Bill

This is a guest post by Pete Mills from Unlock Democracy In the first week back after Christmas, MSPs debated...

ERS Blog

Our top ten most read blogs of 2015

2015 was the busiest year ever for the Electoral Reform Society blog, with monthly readership over double the level we...

It’s time 16 and 17 year olds got the vote

Last month saw a big victory for campaigners for a fairer franchise: the House of Lords supported giving 16 and...

Putting PR in Parliament

UPDATE, December 3: The Bill has now been rescheduled and will be heard on Wednesday 16th December. —- It’s not...

Canadian Election

Canada heads to the polls

Of all the former colonies to which Britain has left behind the Westminster model of democracy perhaps none so obviously...

House of Lords

Our bloated second chamber

The House of Lords is already the biggest chamber in the democratic world – yet it is growing in size...

Switzerland

What is the plural of referendum? Political disengagement…

Switzerland. A land of chocolate, neutrality and a surprisingly well-armed population. Switzerland is also home to a unique democratic system, the...

Localism and devolution – ERS at Labour conference

“Devolution is a hot topic,” said Jane Dudman, Guardian Public Leaders editor, who chaired the first of three ERS fringe...

House of Lords

Party over Principle: Independence in the Lords

The House of Lords is often assumed to be more independent than the Commons because it is less strongly whipped...