Electoral Reform Society

Electoral Reform Society
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Name	Electoral Reform Society
Founded	16 January 1884
Location	London, United Kingdom
Key people	Willie Sullivan (Senior Director)
Focus	Electoral reform, Proportional representation, Democratic engagement
Website	www.electoral-reform.org.uk

Electoral Reform Society. Founded in 1884 as the Proportional Representation Society, it is the world's oldest operating organization dedicated to electoral reform. The society campaigns for a more representative and participatory democracy in the United Kingdom, advocating for changes to the first-past-the-post system. It conducts research, publishes reports, and lobbies parliamentarians to advance its aims of fair votes and a revitalized democratic culture.

History

The society was established on 16 January 1884 by a group including John Lubbock and Sir John Rigby following debates over the Representation of the People Act 1884. Initially named the Proportional Representation Society, its early advocacy centered on the Single transferable vote method for multi-member constituencies. It influenced the adoption of STV in some colonial elections and for university seats in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The organization was renamed in 1958 to reflect a broader mission. Key historical moments include its evidence to the Speaker's Conference on electoral reform and its role in the Jenkins Commission in the late 1990s. Throughout the 20th century, it maintained a consistent critique of the Westminster model while engaging with figures across the Labour, Liberal, and Conservative parties.

Objectives and activities

The primary objective is to replace the First-past-the-post voting system for House of Commons and local elections with a form of Proportional representation. It also campaigns for reforms to the House of Lords, advocating for a fully elected Second chamber. Other key activities include promoting greater use of the Single transferable vote in devolved assemblies and for police and crime commissioner elections. The society conducts extensive research through its award-winning research team, publishing analyses on topics like Voter turnout, Tactical voting, and Campaign finance. It organizes events such as the annual Church House conference and actively lobbies Members of Parliament and the Cabinet Office.

Key campaigns and positions

A major ongoing campaign is for the adoption of a Proportional representation system, often highlighting the disproportional results of general elections like those in 2015 and 2019. The society was a leading voice in the 2011 referendum on the Alternative Vote, though it advocated for a more proportional option. It campaigns to lower the Voting age to 16 across all UK elections, citing evidence from Scottish referendums. Other positions include support for automatic Voter registration, a reformed Honours system, and the abolition of the House of Lords. It has been critical of the Elections Act 2022, particularly provisions regarding voter identification.

Structure and governance

The society is a registered charity and a Company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of trustees elected from its membership. Its senior leadership includes a Chief Executive and a Senior Director, with operations based in London. An affiliated organization, the Electoral Reform Society (Services) Limited, handles its commercial and advisory services. Membership is open to the public, with members receiving the quarterly journal *Representation*. The society works in partnership with other organizations such as Make Votes Matter and the Association for Electoral Administration. It is funded through membership subscriptions, donations, and grants from bodies like the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust.

Influence and impact

The society has significantly influenced academic and political discourse on Electoral systems, with its research frequently cited by institutions like the Institute for Government and the Constitution Unit of University College London. It played an advisory role in the design of the Additional member system used for the Scottish Parliament and Senedd. Its reports on Digital campaigning and Disinformation have informed inquiries by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. While major systemic change at Westminster remains elusive, the society has contributed to incremental reforms, including the introduction of the Single transferable vote for Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Its advocacy continues to shape debates within parties like the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats.