Electoral Reform Society

Proportional representation is true rule by the people | Letters Letters: Readers respond to Gaby Hinsliff’s defence of first past the post, and Polly Toynbee’s call for electoral reform

Readers have responded to Gaby Hinsliff’s attempted defence of the way we elect MPs to Westminster. It's plain to see that the status quo doesn't work and hasn't worked for years.

Elections bill will bring in once-in-a-generation change to voting – but misses big opportunity Today sees the first reading of the Representation of the People Bill, the government’s landmark legislation reforming how elections work. This promises to make some fundamental reform

We have long called for greater transparency and tighter rules on political finance, so it is welcome to see proposed changes to protect the UK’s democracy from foreign funding in this bill.

It’s time to end Britain’s first-past-the-post election lottery The Gorton and Denton by-election confirmed just how capricious our electoral system has become

"An electoral system should do two things: ensure that the majority rules and that significant minorities are adequately represented. First past the post achieves neither." www.ft.com/content/38d8...

MPs are speaking up about the need for proportional representation during debate on the Representation of the People Bill. Do you agree with Manuela that the UK should change how it elects MPs?

Elections bill will bring in once-in-a-generation change to voting – but misses big opportunity Today sees the first reading of the Representation of the People Bill, the government’s landmark legislation reforming how elections work. This promises to make some fundamental reform

If the government knows you are eligible to vote, you should be registered automatically. It's great to see trials in this direction in the upcoming bill

Latest UK polling: As voters spread their support, our voting system can’t keep up Where elections often used to be a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, voters are now spreading their support across an increasingly crowded field – and our voting sys

The question is no longer whether multi-party politics has arrived in the UK – it’s whether our outdated electoral system can survive it.

Calls for electoral reform were raised in the House of Commons during debate on the Representation of the People Bill. Do you think it is time for proportional representation in the UK?

Latest UK polling: As voters spread their support, our voting system can’t keep up Where elections often used to be a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, voters are now spreading their support across an increasingly crowded field – and our voting sys

Where elections often used to be a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, voters are now spreading their support across an increasingly crowded field – and our voting system is struggling to keep up.

Missing, in-action: What happened to the bill to remove the Hereditary Peers? It is not often we get to indulge in the mystery genre here at the ERS; however, this blog will delve into the curious incident of the missing Hereditary Peers bill. The bill, a straight

Unelected hereditary peers still sit in the House of Lords — despite promises to remove them. We investigate what happened to the bill and why reform can’t be left on the backburner.

📣 "We no longer live in a two-party system, and if we continue to have an electoral system that doesn't acknowledge that fact, we will have, as Professor @robfordmancs.bsky.social says, elections that lead to even more chaotic and unpredictable results."

👇 @chriscurtis94.bsky.social

The Representation of the People Bill moves democracy forward – but more progress is needed At the Electoral Reform Society, we believe democracy is never a finished project.Something so hard won requires constant attention, updating and improvement if it is to remain healthy.

The Representation of the People Bill had its second reaching this week, and MPs from across the House recognised the stakes for the health of our democracy. electoral-reform.org.uk/the-represen...

The stars are aligning for proportional representation If it's ever going to happen, now is the time

The stars are aligning for proportional representation takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-stars-...

How a 1940 electoral system reform in Cambridge made its 2025 housing breakthrough possible This is more than just a housing “win.” It’s a triumph for Cambridge’s unique brand of representative democracy—one that balances citywide priorities with fair representation for diverse communities.

You are forgiven for pinching the graphic! We can also give you the STV X YIMBY crossover argument you have been waiting for commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...

Why Holyrood’s voting system still favours larger parties Everyone knows that First Past the Post favours the largest party. At the last Westminster election, Labour managed to turn 34% of the vote into 63% of parliament – a full 29 percentag

No electoral arrangement is perfect, and if there are improvements to be made, we should not be afraid to make them.

Latest UK polling: As voters spread their support, our voting system can’t keep up Where elections often used to be a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, voters are now spreading their support across an increasingly crowded field – and our voting sys

Our Senior Research Officer, Ian, has taken a look at the latest polling – which paints a vivid picture of a country whose political allegiances have shifted dramatically.
electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-uk-po...

Reflections & Recommendations Webinar – Dunfermline New City Assembly Dunfermline New City Assembly

ERS Scotland has been working on a citizens' assembly in Dunfermline over the last few months, which is about to publish its recommendations. There is a webinar next week from the Dunfermline New City Assembly team where you can find out what happened. dunfermlineassembly.org/assembly-upd...

This week, MPs have been calling for the government to include making parliament representative of how we vote, as part of the Representation of the People Bill. This is a real opportunity for the government to make a difference.

This isn't a setting our end, but something you control in your Bluesky account settings under 'Content and Media', as shown in this screenshot.

Westminster’s dirty secret – what lobbying in Britain looks like and how we clean it up Lobbying is a word that can be used to describe all manner of sins in Westminster. It has hit the headlines again courtesy of Peter Mandelson and his relationship to convicted paedophile

The Epstein Files gave a rare insight into how lobbying often operates in Westminster, conducted through personal relationships with no formal channels.

This week, MPs have been calling for a National Commission to build a consensus on a new voting system for Westminster through broad public consultation, deliberation and expert evidence gathering.

As the Representation of the People Bill has been working through parliament, MPs have been calling on the government to make the bill live up to its name and give us a parliament that is representative of how we voted.

⚖️ "It's the principled thing to do, to ensure every vote counts equally."

💬 Our Vice-Chair @elliechowns.bsky.social also used the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill to call for electoral reform.

💯 Most of the public agree: our voting system urgently needs an update.

In 2022, the previous government decided that the Electoral Commission, which polices fair play in elections, had to consider the priorities of the politicians it oversees.

So it's fantastic news that last night the current government announced they will be restoring their independence.

Missing, in-action: What happened to the bill to remove the Hereditary Peers? It is not often we get to indulge in the mystery genre here at the ERS; however, this blog will delve into the curious incident of the missing Hereditary Peers bill. The bill, a straight

The UK’s second chamber shouldn’t be determined by birthright. Our latest blog dives into the curious case of a lost Lords reform bill — and why democracy demands better.

May 2026 elections: Weekend voting to be piloted in the UK Findings from the experiment will be published later this year and inform future electoral reform.

Voting on a Thursday, when many people are at work, has some pretty obvious downsides – so it's great to see the government trialling early voting in Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge, and North Hertfordshire in the coming elections. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Lib Dem Lisa Smart MP in last night's democracy bill debate: "Unlimited donations mean unlimited influence. They corrode public trust and distort political priorities. Until we cap donations, we will continue to have a democracy that is for sale." (there's still no plan for a cap on donations)

Labour must not bind Britain's fate to the failing electoral system - Politics.co.uk It’s fair to say that British democracy is in ill health. Labour has inherited rock bottom public trust in politics and a state wracked by austerity. We are working to show that government can…

Faced with an electoral system that is turning British elections into a gamble with the country’s future, MPs are calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform to examine the electoral system and recommend a modern alternative.

The real lesson to take from Gorton and Denton is for the future of UK democracy | Institute for Government Westminster is dangerously underprepared for a multi-party future.

"If casting a vote starts to feel more like participating in a lottery than making a positive and principled decision, then voters are going to become ever more frustrated." First Past the Post can't handle multi-party politics. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gort...

Ahead of the next reading of the Representation of the People Bill, ERS has been briefing MPs with evidence on how to make our democracy more representative – from voting rights to participation and accountability. buff.ly/uNfmU3J

Representation of the People Bill This Representation of the People Bill is a major step forward for our democracy. It will give more young people a say, modernise our outdated registration system, and strengthen rules a

We've written briefings for all the main issues in the Representation of the People Bill, which is going through parliament at the moment. You can find them here: