While we may have moved on from the limited voting rights of the 19th Century, in 1832 the Reform Act granted voting rights to men only if they were freeholders of property and over the age of 21 (women didn’t get full voting rights until 1928) we are very shortly about to see a significant change in how we vote …
Continue readingWe did it! This week Labour conference voted to back a motion calling on the Party to scrap Westminster’s failing First Past the Post system and to introduce a fair, proportional voting system instead. Support was overwhelming not just amongst Labour members but, thanks to the work of hundreds of activists across the country, with the support of the Trade …
Continue readingWhether it’s lies over Partygate or handing out covid contracts to supporters and allies or Boris Johnson’s plans to stuff the Lords with new peers in his final weeks in office, this government are never embarrassed by their own failure to understand the foundations of a good democracy. Trust, transparency, fairness and accountability – this is what people look for …
Continue readingDelegates at UNISON’s National Delegate Conference have just backed a motion calling on the UK’s biggest union to ‘reject First Past the Post’ and for the adoption of PR for UK general elections. The vote, which saw an overwhelming majority of delegates back the motion, marks a significant moment for the Labour movement, as Unite the Union, the UK’s second …
Continue readingThis week marks the 190th anniversary of the Great Reform Act, the moment the UK took its first meaningful stride towards becoming a democracy that represented the people rather than a narrow aristocracy. As we mark today, it is fitting to remember that while the UK has had a Parliament for the best part of a millennium, it has only been …
Continue readingAfter 13 years of Tory rule Britain is ready for change – only our broken electoral system stands in its way The last time a Labour Prime Minister occupied Number 10 Downing Street the country looked very different. Labour’s impact on Britain could be seen everywhere. From the minimum wage, the Human Rights Act, Sure Start Centres and record investment …
Continue readingUnite members have voted to oppose Westminster’s First Past the Post electoral system pledging support for moves towards a new voting system in UK elections. “Today, Unite Policy Conference voted to support Proportional Representation in Westminster elections for the first time in our history. Our political class has failed working people and our system is broken. It is time to change our democracy.” Unite’s general secretary …
Continue readingOn 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 Labour to back reform, due to opposition from several of the party’s affiliated trade unions the motion was narrowly defeated. The motion, backed by the Labour …
Continue readingI am proud to have written the motion on a fairer voting system that was recently adopted by ASLEF at their Annual Assembly of Delegates. However, in a democratic union like ASLEF, success is only achieved with the support of branch delegates from across the railway network. I am particularly grateful to my colleague who put the motion to the …
Continue readingTwo-thirds of the public feel powerless over decision making and feel that they have little or no opportunities to influence decisions made at Westminster’, according to new Savanta ComRes polling. In a week that has seen lobbying allegations dominate the news, the poll for the Politics for the Many campaign and the Electoral Reform Society finds that just 5% of …
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