How government voter ID plans are an expensive and dangerous distraction At a cost of up to £20m per election, this is a colossal waste of energy and resources at a time when we should be focusing on the UK’s recovery. Posted 18 Feb 2021
7 democratic developments to watch out for this year What does democracy look like in a pandemic? It’s a question that came up a lot last year – and 2021 seems no different. This year could see some major developments when it comes to... Posted 18 Jan 2021
Five times the ERS set the news agenda in 2020 Despite the difficulties of 2020, the ERS kept up the pressure and make the case for political reform in a crowded news cycle. From promoting our key campaigns through our analysis of the 2019 election... Posted 13 Jan 2021
Building a better democracy – 2020 and the Electoral Reform Society It’s hard to think of a more troubling year in living memory. But the public health crisis has, perhaps counter-intuitively, put issues of democracy at the forefront. The election may feel like a distant memory,... Posted 07 Dec 2020
Papers, please: Why the UK must think again before importing US-style voter ID to Britain Voting is a key cornerstone of any democratic system. Just as important are the principles underpinning it: that every vote should be equal, and every vote should count. The US elections have brought these principles... Posted 03 Nov 2020
ERS in the Press – October 2020 This month has seen a renewed interest in proportional representation internationally. Willie Sullivan backed up the case for a fairer voting system in Canada, drawing on his experience in Scotland. “If you want a system... Posted 29 Oct 2020
Ministers just vowed to plough ahead with a ‘dangerous’ change to elections The ERS and groups representing elderly voters and BME communities are warning that mandatory voter ID risks pulling up the drawbridge to thousands of voters, after the government confirmed plans to impose the ‘show your... Posted 02 Oct 2020
ERS in the Press – July 2020 Another Lords scandal, fighting for fair votes, and a spotlight on foreign interference: highlights from the ERS' campaigning in July. Posted 10 Aug 2020
Has the Government misled Parliament over voter ID? A series of Freedom of Information requests has revealed that Government departments do not know who will be hardest hit by mandatory voter ID plans - despite ministers repeatedly claiming that "the evidence shows there... Posted 30 Jul 2020
Equality groups sound the alarm on ‘US-style voter suppression’ potentially coming to the UK Equality organisations are warning that government plans to force all voters to show ID at the ballot box risk locking black and ethnic minority people out of democracy. Posted 23 Jun 2020