Voting systems in the UK
House of Commons Library Politics for the Many recommends the House of Commons Library’s research briefing Voting Systems in the UK
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Free But Not Fair
British elections and how to restore trust in politics Politics for the Many recommends The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fair Elections’ report Free But Not Fair: British elections and how to restore trust in politics, published in November 2025
Continue readingThe Trade Union Case for Political Reform
“Our trade union rights get ripped up every time the Tories get in. We urgently need this government to bring in proportional representation to enable us to secure newly won rights for unions and working people over the long term.” Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretaryand Chair of Labour Unions. Introduction The trade union movement has always led demands for greater …
Continue readingMoving Wales Forward: Labour’s plans for a stronger Senedd
Hefyd ar gael yn: Cymraeg Introduction Last month Labour signed a landmark co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. The agreement sets forward a radical programme to be delivered by Welsh Labour in cooperation with Plaid members in the Senedd. The agreement covers key areas such as energy and climate, and housing as well as a commitment to Senedd Electoral Reform. These proposals …
Continue readingThe New Foundations: A future built on democracy
It is not possible to build democratic socialism by using the institutions of the Ancient British state. Under that I include the present doctrine of sovereignty, Parliament, the electoral system, the Civil Service – the whole gaudy old heritage.
Continue readingBuilding a Politics for the Many
Throughout history, the labour movement has been at the forefront in demanding political change – helping tip the scales in favour of working people.
Continue readingCreating a Constitutional Moment
Sometimes when you ask for directions you are told ‘I wouldn’t start from here’. That may be the best response when considering the UK Constitution. Not having a codified constitution may have some advantages. It has allowed changes to be introduced quickly when governments have to respond to significant political pressure. On the other hand, quick fix solutions are not …
Continue readingMajoritarianism and the radical right
The success of far-right parties is often treated as an inevitability if they can gain representation but in reality they can be diluted, exposed or effectively shut out from power in PR systems. In this briefing we show how PR provides the opportunities to do this, whereas a majoritarian system such as Britain’s can hand them absolute power on unrepresentative …
Continue readingWhy the Westminster system is bad for democracy
Democracy is never a finished job: whether it was extending the franchise to those without property, securing votes for women, or winning trade union rights, history tells us we make great progress and we have minor set-backs – but democracy is something we have to remake over and over again
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