News and Comment

The latest news and commentary from the Electoral Reform Society.

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Why an elected second chamber won’t lead to gridlock

Looking across the Atlantic at America’s Senate, it’s clear why concerns are often expressed that an elected second chamber may challenge the primacy of the House of Commons and at the extreme end, result in...

Posted 19 Feb 2024

Electing the second chamber doesnt itself lead to more conflict

How many hung parliaments has the UK had?

Westminster’s First Past the Post (FPTP) system often results in some parties gaining far more seats than their vote share deserves. But there is no guarantee that this un-earned ‘bonus’ always means one party gets...

Posted 14 Feb 2024

First Past the Post has often failed to live up to its supporters promises

What is a Senate of the Regions and Nations?

Over the years many parties and groups have suggested ideas for reform of the House of Lords. Recently, the Labour party has suggested that the House of Lords should be replaced with a ‘Senate of...

Posted 01 Feb 2024

A Senate of the Regions and Nations could provide a far stronger voice for the whole of the UK

New Senedd Bill is an investment in Welsh democracy

Yesterday in the Senedd, the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said “democracy only flourishes if you tend the garden to which it is sowed”. He was speaking in a statement around the recent publication of the...

Posted 31 Jan 2024