• Why our media is wrong to say proportional representation helps the extreme right

    Why our media is wrong to say proportional representation helps the extreme right

    The UK media likes to blame far right gains elsewhere – as in Sweden’s recent election – on PR. In fact the evidence shows disproportional voting systems give more power to the extreme right. This was originally posted as an article for OpenDemocracy: Why our media is wrong to say proportional representation helps the extreme right Reading the…

  • The case for mandatory reselection

    This was originally posted as an article for the Oxford University Labour Club blog: The Case for Mandatory Reselection  As the 2018 Labour Conference approaches, the debate around mandatory reselection is intensifying. For some MPs and their supporters, mandatory reselection is simply a tool for the left to purge the ‘moderates’ from the Party. This may…

  • Why is the Labour Party machine ignoring members on voting reform?

    My piece for LabourList on how Labour’s internal policy makers are dragging their heels on PR: Why is the Labour Party machine ignoring members on voting reform?

  • Greens overtake AfD in Germany: why does the British media report European elections so badly?

    Greens overtake AfD in Germany: why does the British media report European elections so badly?

    A poll of German voters has shown Die Grünen ahead of far right Alternative für Deutschland. The poll shows Merkel’s CDU ahead on 31% followed by the SPD on 17%, the Greens are in 3rd at 15%, narrowly overtaking AfF on 14% who are trailed by Die Linke and the FDP on 10 and 8%.…

  • Oxford Labour calls for Proportional Representation

    Oxford Labour calls for Proportional Representation

    In June, Oxford District Labour Party followed Oxford University Labour Club and neighbouring Whitney CLP in voting for a motion calling for Proportional Representation. As a joint Labour organisation, made up of two Oxford constituencies, this is one of the biggest local parties in the country. The motion we passed is here: Our archaic electoral…

  • A tram system for Truro

    A tram system for Truro

    This was originally a tweet in which I proposed a tram line for Truro, here I’ve bulked it up with some justifications. Truro (population around 20,000) is relatively much smaller than most cities with proposed mass transit systems but I think it’s pretty interesting given the large amount of travel into the city in relation…

  • A Reluctant Case For A People’s Vote

    This was originally posted as a HuffPost article: A Reluctant Case for a People’s Vote  As Theresa May negotiates our exit of the European Union, her government lurches from crisis to crisis. Whichever path she takes, the Prime Minister can expect a rebellion from at least one side of her party. And with an opportunistic…

  • Less Than a Third of Adults Believe Britain’s Democracy is Worth Celebrating

    This was originally posted as a HuffPost article: Less Than a Third of Adults Believe Britain’s Democracy is Worth Celebrating Monday 2 July marked the beginning of the Government’s ‘National Democracy Week’, a week long celebration of British democracy which coincided with the 90th anniversary of equal voting rights for women. However, not everyone is in…

  • Make Votes Matter Polling, 8th-11th June 2018

    A new poll by ICM, on behalf of Make Votes Matter, shows overwhelming support for PR. Tables here: ICM-Omnibus-National-Democracy-Week Q1. The government has recently announced plans for ‘National Democracy Week’, a week-long celebration of British democracy. Do you think British democracy is something worth celebrating at the moment? Yes – 32% No – 43% Don’t know –…

  • Meet the Movement: Make Votes Matter and the Fight for Proportional Representation

    An interview with Noah Merrin for Palatinate, a Durham Uni student paper: Meet the Movement: Make Votes Matter and the Fight for Proportional Representation