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Dear Friend,

This week's political events serve to remind us of the fundamental impact of the way we conduct elections on how we are governed. Over in America, Donald Trump, who won the presidency despite not winning the most votes, was indicted for hoarding classified documents. In the UK, Boris Johnson, who won a 80 seat majority on 43% of the vote, stood down after being found to have misled parliament.

Both men benefitted from First Past the Post style voting that prioritised strong government over good government.

All the best,
The Electoral Reform Society team

Recent days have revealed the grubby horse trading that goes on to decide who sits in the House of Lords

The row over Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list highlights why it should be the last

The recent days have seen the national focus pulled onto the House of Lords through the public row between Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson over the latter’s resignation honours list.

Read the article →

If an association donates under 25000 a year no questions are asked

There is a dangerous loophole in our political financing rules

Shadowy dining clubs and millions of pounds in donations. This is the realm of ‘unincorporated associations’ one of the least-regulated areas of political finance in the UK.

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This is the first time that the Commissions advice has been ignored

From the archive: What is the House of Lords Appointments Commission?

HOLAC is an independent, advisory, non-departmental public body. Separate from the Lords, it was established in May 2000 to ensure some transparency in the process of appointments, as part of a series of reforms enacted by the then Labour government.

Read the article →

Our issues in the news

Safe Seat of the Week

Of the four upcoming by-elections, Mid Bedfordshire had the largest majority, but Selby & Ainsty was won with the biggest share of the vote at 60.3% for Nigel Adams.

Selby & Ainsty

71.7% Turnout
519th Smallest Margin of Victory
480th Smallest Share of the Vote Needed to Win

Explore the 2019 General Election in Selby & Ainsty →

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