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New research: Comparing rates of electoral assent in the recent Irish and UK general elections

Luke Field is an Irish political scientist specialising in campaigns, elections, and democracy. He recently completed a Ph.D. in Political Science at University College Dublin and lectures in Politics at University College Cork. He tweets...

Posted 26 Mar 2020

If UK electors are dissatisfied with their parliamentary representation, they may wish to consider whether their electoral system is a factor

In Ireland, it actually feels like my vote makes a difference

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with people who have voted with Ireland’s STV system and under Westminster’s First Past the Post...

Posted 18 Feb 2020

Parties know they can’t just ignore an area or take others for granted

With STV in Ireland, politicians cannot afford to ignore people

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with people who have voted with Ireland’s STV system and under Westminster’s First Past the Post...

Posted 13 Feb 2020

At school in Ireland, the STV system was explained to us in Civics class

Voting with proportional representation feels much more meaningful than Westminster’s system

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with people who have voted with Ireland’s STV system and under Westminster’s First Past the Post...

Posted 11 Feb 2020

All the people I know who’ve moved back and forth are very pro-STV

If people want change in Ireland, they can get it at the ballot box

As part of a series on the experiences of voters in the Irish 2020 election, we wanted to speak with voters who have voted with Ireland’s STV system and under Westminster’s First Past the Post...

Posted 11 Feb 2020

I was canvassed by one current TD at my doorstep, and two other candidates out and about

Ireland’s TV debates show the difference the electoral system makes

On Tuesday the 4th February, ITV’s political editor Robert Peston tweeted: The Irish leaders’ debate is really quite shocking. The three leaders have a detailed grasp of complex welfare and tax issues, they are polite...

Posted 06 Feb 2020

In a competitive election, candidates need to up their game

Ireland beats the UK in satisfaction with democracy

In a new study, researchers at Cambridge University have ranked Ireland among just seven countries worldwide where more than 75% of citizens are content with democracy. This high level of satisfaction ranks Ireland fifth in...

Posted 06 Feb 2020

At 5th, Ireland is far above the UK, which ranks 43rd in the global study

Which European countries use proportional representation?

Of the 43 countries most often considered to be within Europe, 40 use some form of proportional representation to elect their MPs. The UK stands almost alone in Europe in using a ‘one-person-takes-all’ disproportionate voting...

Posted 26 Dec 2018

Does Ireland use proportional representation?

Ireland has a long history of using proportional representation and, specifically, the Single Transferable Vote (STV). STV is the Electoral Reform Society’s preferred electoral system. Rather than one person representing everyone in a small area,...

Posted 11 Dec 2018

The Graveyard of First Past the Post

Around the world, voters in country after country have chosen to bury First Past the Post. Thankfully, this particular fiend from the past is staying in the ground. While voters in every country that uses...

Posted 31 Oct 2018