British democracy is blighted by low and unequal turnout. The last general election saw overall turnout of registered voters fall to 59.8%, and this number masks stark disparities in turnout rates on the basis of class, race, age, and housing … [Read more...] about Universal Suffrage? The problem of low and unequal turnout and the case for compulsory voting
The UK’s debate on electoral reform is in need of historical perspective. Too often, the First-Past-the-Post electoral system (FPTP) used for Westminster elections is presented as a central part of a well-defined British democratic tradition … [Read more...] about Electoral Systems and Electoral Reform in Historical Perspective by David Klemperer
This report reconsiders the debate over electoral reform in light of recent developments in British politics. Looking beyond questions of ‘fairness’, it analyses the practical impact of the existing ‘First-Past-the-Post’ electoral system, and … [Read more...] about The Electoral System and British Politics by David Klemperer
Since the failure of the Indicative Votes, many have proposed using the using preferential voting (the Alternative Vote) instead. However, this carries its own risks – strategic voting and a perverse winner. Majority Judgement would be … [Read more...] about Indicative Votes – would a different voting system be better?
