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New political funding rules sneak in

When people are asked about the problems with money in politics, few raise the issue of there not being enough. In fact, the public are deeply concerned about big money in politics with the majority...

Posted 24 Nov 2023

The spending cap for each party has been raised by 80 percent from 19m to about 35m

Voters prefer decisions made by panels balanced between men and women

Men still dominate political decision-making in the United Kingdom. Women hold just one or two seats on prestigious select committees in the House of Commons, like Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Justice. No women sit on...

Posted 21 Nov 2023

Voters do care about women’s leadership in elected office

David Cameron’s seat at the cabinet table means a seat for life in the Lords

David Cameron was appointed as Foreign Secretary this week – but he’s not been an MP since 2016. How is he then taking one of the great offices of state? He’s not going to stand...

Posted 16 Nov 2023

However long David Cameron serves, he will be able to sit in the House of Lords for life

One year to win local proportional representation in Wales

A year from today, November 15, 2024, is the last day before the next election where your councillors can decide to bring local democracy into the 21st century. I am talking about how councillors are...

Posted 15 Nov 2023

We want every council in Wales to scrap First Past the Post

We gave evidence to MSs on a new Bill to reform the Senedd – here’s what we said

In September a new piece of legislation was introduced into the Senedd, which looks set to change how the Welsh Parliament looks and works. The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, if passed, will see...

Posted 10 Nov 2023

24 years ago the Greater London Authority Act gained royal assent

This weekend (11th November) marks the 24th anniversary of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 gaining royal assent. The Greater London Authority, comprising the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, was first elected in...

Posted 10 Nov 2023

72% of Londoners backed the proposals, which included a Mayor elected via the Supplementary Vote

The political reforms that were lacking from the King’s Speech

Democracy was a conspicuous omission from yesterday’s King’s Speech. The pomp and ceremony of the occasion was the government’s last chance to set out a legislative agenda before the next election. Yet despite Rishi Sunak...

Posted 08 Nov 2023

Here is what we would like to see in a King’s Speech that was serious about repairing our democracy

First Past the Post in mayoral elections means less choice and a weaker voice

This week, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he is facing his ‘toughest election yet’ but why is that? When Labour have a national polling majority of somewhere in the region of 20...

Posted 02 Nov 2023

First Past the Post in mayoral elections means less choice and a weaker voice

How proportional representation worked in the Polish election

With a population of around 40 million, Poland is the European Union’s fifth largest member and by far the largest of its eastern states. It is therefore worth taking notice of any national election in...

Posted 26 Oct 2023

Latest by-elections reveal flaws of First Past the Post

The two UK parliamentary by-elections, held on 19 October 2023, saw some dramatic outcomes. In Mid Bedfordshire, Labour overturned the biggest majority (24,664) in any by-election since at least 1945. In Tamworth, Labour achieved its...

Posted 20 Oct 2023