Proportional representation would end the scourge of tactical voting The losses in Wakefield and in Tiverton and Honiton, where the Liberal Democrats overturned a 24,000 Conservative majority, were both the result of declining support for Johnson’s government, but also it would appear, the result of widescale tactical voting.... Posted 03 Jul 2022
How do elections work in Slovenia? The process of democratisation since the collapse of communism has not been uniform across eastern Europe, but some countries, such as the Baltic states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, are now drawing level with established... Posted 21 Apr 2022
Does proportional representation lead to higher turnout? A healthy democracy requires healthy levels of democratic participation – the most crucial element of which is turnout at general elections. But Britain has one of the lowest turnout rates in the west – a... Posted 10 Feb 2022
On Monday MPs have a chance to pass an election bill that actually works Opposition MPs have tabled amendments on reforming our voting system that would improve our elections for voters across the country. On Monday the government’s elections bill returns to the House of Commons. Along with other... Posted 14 Jan 2022
Does First Past the Post stop extremists getting into parliaments? If you listen to supporters of first past the post, you might be forgiven for thinking that British voters are just itching to elect dozens of far-left and far-right MPs - with PR just waiting... Posted 15 Dec 2021
What’s the difference between open and closed list proportional representation? When discussing proportional voting systems, or voting systems in general, we usually talk about how they allocate seats to political parties. But parliaments are more than parties and it also matters how they decide which... Posted 15 Nov 2021
Labour’s Mark Drakeford calls for “radical reform” of the electoral system Mark Drakeford has thrown his support behind changes to how MPs are elected calling for ‘radical reform’ of Westminster’s electoral system. The First Minister of Wales made the remarks at the 2021 Aneurin Bevan Memorial... Posted 28 Oct 2021
Was there a referendum on proportional representation? We have long argued for the need to replace the failing First Past the Post (FPTP) Westminster system with a fairer proportional system. There is a common misconception (or a more cynical misrepresentation) that the... Posted 28 Oct 2021
“The future is going to be negotiated, not dictated”: Labour figures speak out for PR Across the country – and increasingly within the Labour party – people are realising that Westminster's rotten system skews not just our politics, but our economy too. Posted 01 Oct 2021
80% of CLP back PR but motion falls at Labour Party Conference On Monday Labour conference debated and voted on a motion to back PR, adding a pledge to their next manifesto. Despite the overwhelming support of local party delegates, 80% of whom supported the campaign for... Posted 30 Sep 2021