Keith Best is a former Conservative MP and Chairman of Conservative Action for Electoral Reform It is not a particularly penetrating insight to say that the recent local elections were very bad for the Conservative Party. The night saw losses exceed the 1,000 seats Ministers had briefed to manage expectations – and came close to the disastrous results of 2019. …
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The Conservative Party is at risk of making a historic error. While the melodrama of the last year has left the party preoccupied with avoiding defeat at the next election, it is failing to grapple with an issue that could determine its fortunes far beyond 2024: the end of First Past the Post (FPTP). Proportional representation (PR) will likely happen …
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We would like to thank all those who attended our electoral reform fringe event at the Conservative 2022 conference. It was fantastic to be in Birmingham surrounded by fellow party members concerned about the future of our great democracy. We had a great turnout that filled the room with an engaging debate on electoral reform. A special thanks goes to …
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We all mourn our late beloved Queen for many reasons, not least the constancy and pillar of strength she personified through very turbulent times and significant change. As she lived her both family and civic life in the full glare of public gaze she showed empathy and sensitivity to her subjects and those overseas which endeared her and provided a …
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As part of the launch of the Electoral Reform Society’s report – Here to Stay: Two Decades of Proportional Representation in Britain – their Head of Communications Josiah Mortimer interviewed Conservative councillor Dave Dempsey – leader of the opposition on Fife Council, which is run by an SNP-Labour coalition. Cllr Dempsey is a keen supporter of proportional representation, in contrast to …
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The 2022 local elections were tougher than expected. While recent political events certainly shoulder some of the blame, the ineffective electoral system further dented Conservative representation across the country. Since 2019, 29 councils outside of London have failed to correctly represent the Conservative vote. In these boroughs, Conservative councillors who had popular support have been denied seats. London is even …
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Rahima Khan is the Conservative candidate Mayor for Newham. You can find out more on how to help her campaign on her website www.rahimakhan.com In addition to the seven powerful regional mayoralties that exist in England, there are twenty-three directly-elected mayoralties across our boroughs and cities. London is unique in the fact that it not only has a regional …
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The former chief of staff to Stephen Harper, and 2011 campaign chair of his successful re-election effort, Guy Giorno has been making the case for electoral reform in Canada.
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On Thursday at midday nominations closed for the Conservative Party leadership contest. It’s been a week of high drama in politics – and many of you will have your views on the candidates (and those who aren’t candidates) – but how do Conservative Party leadership elections work? Unlike Labour leader contenders, who need 15% of the Parliamentary Labour Party, in …
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The Scottish Conservative Party conference happened last weekend, and one of the highlights for us was the launch of a new pamphlet, “Light Blue Ideas”, edited by Professor Alan Convery. Alan is a lecturer in politics at Edinburgh University, and has brought together a stellar cast of policy experts and academics to propose ways in which the Scottish Conservatives might modernise themselves …
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