How to Replace ‘First Past the Post’: Electoral Reform in Action

Join the Mile End Institute to debate the future of British democracy – and vote at the end on the voting system that YOU prefer!

In 1918, Parliament came within hours of abolishing First Past the Post. The system only survived because the two Houses disagreed on the system that should replace it. With the Bill on the brink of collapse, the question was postponed – a reprieve that has lasted for 107 years.

In a recent YouGov poll, only 23% of respondents backed First Past the Post. But what might replace it? Different countries use a dizzying array of different systems, which are designed to do different things. Some are ‘proportional’, others ‘preferential’. Some would expand the range of parties, while others might shrink them. Do we want our electoral system to give us strong governments or strong parliaments? Do we want more or fewer regional parties, independent candidates, extremist parties or coalitions?

In this event, co-hosted with Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society, our expert panel will present different electoral systems as used in France, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands. We will debate their strengths and weaknesses; what they can and can’t achieve; and how they work in practice.

Join us to debate the future of British democracy – and vote at the end on the system that YOU prefer!