Whenever Norwich South Labour MP Clive Lewis speaks on the value of proportional representation, he almost always adds this caveat: “But of course PR is NOT a silver bullet for the many problems we face.” In this March 2021 video, they are very first words to come out of Clive’s mouth. That’s […]
Chesham & Amersham by-election: a voters’ alliance from below
The lessons are already flowing in from the stunning LibDem byelection win in Chesham and Amersham (C & A): This was a master class in tactical voting, again mostly started by conversations over back fences, in back gardens and pubs It shows the practical wisdom of a progressive alliance, in this case an unofficial […]
Why a progressive alliance won’t work in this Summer’s by-elections
There has been a lot of talk of late that the two upcoming Westminster by-elections should be used as a trial exercise for a progressive alliance (PA). The proposed trial? The Lib Dems would run, essentially unopposed, against a Conservative in the Buckinghamshire constituency of Chesham and Amersham while Labour would have a similar clear […]
The humbling in Hartlepool: an open letter to Keir Starmer
As a result of Labour’s humbling in the Hartlepool by-election last week, several commentators have suggested that you, as Labour leader, are planning to conduct what is often called a “wide-ranging policy review.” As a cross party/no party campaign group for electoral reform, we wish you good luck in this important enterprise. It gives us […]
Can Proportional Representation save Labour – and the country?
Whether the next General Election is held in 2024 or earlier, Labour faces a huge challenge. It is generally acknowledged that should the main opposition party suffer its fifth electoral defeat in a row, its survival as the oldest ‘social democratic party’ in the Western World will be at stake. A review of why Labour […]