Electoral Reform Society News

If we want more representative MPs, we need to start talking about class

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Jon Harris, The Guardian
Unless Labour grasps this core issue all the tough talk on Westminster's narrowing social base will be lost in tokenism

Rhodri Morgan wants PR to boost Labour in North West Wales

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Daily Post
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has revealed that he believes his party needs the introduction of PR if it is to revive its chances in Gwynedd, Anglesey and the west of Wales.

Necessary but not sufficient

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Editorial, The Guardian
For the first time in a generation, senior politicians are being recruited to a Speaker's conference - a device by which parliamentarians look afresh at the workings of the electoral and parliamentary systems - that over the next year will address the crisis in representation at Westminster. With turnout in the US election overtaking turnout in the British general election of 2005, as it did on November 4, this is not a moment too soon.

British Parliament too white: Minister

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Times of India
Labelling the world's oldest democratic institution, the British parliament as too white, Harriet Harman has warned that the House of Commons is in danger of loosing its legitimacy.

A narrow elite? MPs to take a close look at themselves

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian
Harriet Harman paved the way for what it is expected to be a potentially historic decision by MPs today to set up a Speaker's conference looking at how to make the Commons more representative of the population.

Probe into boosting minority MPs

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

BBC News Online
Proposals for a Parliamentary inquiry into how to boost the numbers of women, ethnic minority and disabled MPs will be put to MPs later.

No such thing as binge voting

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Emily Beardsmore, The Guardian
Young people have already proved they should be allowed to vote at 16

Jersey 16-year-olds to vote in island elections

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT

New voting age shows increasing support for lowering the voting age across the continent, Electoral Reform Society says

Westminster rejects call for Holyrood to run elections

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Calls for Westminster to hand over power for the Scottish Parliament elections to Holyrood have been rejected by the new Scottish Secretary.

Radical renewal

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Patrick Dunleavy, Red Pepper
If Labour is to stand any chance of resisting a long-term Tory hegemony, it is going to have to build a new progressive alliance with the Lib Dems, Greens and other smaller parties, argues Patrick Dunleavy. As a first step, it will have to move quickly to renew democratic legitimacy through constitutional and electoral reform