Democratic Reform - openDemocracy

First-past-the-post was meant to deliver stability. It’s time to junk it

OPINION: Our chaotic electoral system is the result of 60 years of tweaks to a fundamentally unjust base

By Adam Ramsay

/ 20 Oct 2022

First-past-the-post was meant to deliver stability. It’s time to junk it

Not standing by – can civil society fix British democracy?

All of us – whether charities, non-profits, unions, faith groups or donors – can no longer afford to treat democratic reform as a minority pursuit.

By Alex Jacobs

/ 16 Jul 2019

Not standing by – can civil society fix British democracy?

Lords reform must address both chambers; Clegg's proposals are a dead-end

The British are now being presented with a proposal to replace the Lords with a wholly, or partially elected Senate.... Here we go again is the general feeling. Rightly. The upper chamber cannot undergo democratic reform without addressing its relationship with the Commons

By Anthony Barnett

/ 19 May 2011

The Commons debate on Libya: a milestone for British democracy?

The Commons debate on Libya has been dismissed by some as irrelevant, as military intervention has already begun. Yet this is a milestone for democracy, as Cameron has acknowledged the emerging convention that parliamentary approval is required for the deployment of British forces abroad

By Stuart Weir

/ 22 Mar 2011

Say no to AV; Britain needs an entirely new system

Our current First Past the Post voting system is failing us. Unfortunately, the Alternative Vote is not the answer. AV promotes centrist politics, shuts out smaller parties and encourages unhelpful constituency alliances. We should advocate a a new system for Britain, combining proportional repres

By Monica Threlfall

/ 21 Mar 2011

On the Alternative Vote, who speaks for history?

After a provocative letter telling Times readers that 'history teaches us to vote no to AV', a response was coordinated by other historians who together cried 'not in my name'. The two letters are reproduced here along with commentary by Daniel-Joseph MacArthur-Seal, who helped organise the respon

By Daniel-Joseph MacArthur-Seal

/ 18 Mar 2011

Why the AV campaign really will matter

Pollsters have detected a voting pattern on the AV question, which new YouGov research explains. Voters are more likely to back AV when asked cold, and to favour First Past The Post when they are warmed up with questions or information about the change.

By Peter Kellner

/ 14 Mar 2011

The Cabinet Manual: Who will own this 'set of guidelines' on UK governance, and what will be included?

Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary gave evidence on the draft Cabinet Manual, which summarises the rules and conventions of UK government. Stuart Weir picks out the main issues from the session, exploring unresolved questions on war powers and the involvement of parliament in shaping the manual

By Stuart Weir

/ 11 Mar 2011

Well done Wales, hello English media!

I'm relieved that Wales voted 'yes' to the increase in powers for its Assembly. The question of independence is beside the point; this is about Wales building its own institutions and creating a national space. England should go further than congratulating the Welsh; we should start learning some

By Anthony Barnett

/ 7 Mar 2011

The early days of a better nation? Wales will decide today

“Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation,” was how the Scottish writer Alasdair Gray advised his fellow citizens. It is an apt quotation for us in Wales as we go to the polls in today’s referendum.

By John Osmond

/ 3 Mar 2011

Electoral reform dilemmas: are Britain's single-member constituencies out of date?

If parliament is to shift from representing places to representing people, we may have to leave single-member constituencies by the way side, explains Matthew Roberts. This paper is published courtesy of History & Policy

By Matthew Roberts

/ 21 Feb 2011

Scotland, England and Britain: Gerry Hassan debates Nick Pearce

The United Kingdom's national questions will come to the fore of British politics over the coming years. But it is not often that an English policy expert addresses Scottish politics. Nick Pearce of IPPR did so, and Gerry Hassan from Glasgow takes him to task and he replies.

By Nick Pearce

/ 16 Feb 2011