Event

How should we assess different options for the voting system?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Constitution Unit examines the arguments for and against electoral reform with leading speakers.

Andy Burnham has announced the creation of a national commission on electoral reform, and said that he wants Labour’s next manifesto to include a commitment to changing the system. We can expect much debate over the coming months about whether reform is wise and, if so, what the best alternative would be.

So what are the options, and how should they be evaluated? What are the issues that matter when choosing an electoral system, and what evidence do we have on them? 

This event will include leading proponents of First Past the Post and of Proportional Representation. It won’t just be a normal back-and-forth debate. As the Constitution Unit launches a new project examining what we know about the effects of different electoral systems, we will seek to dig into what the key points of agreement and disagreement are, and where we need more evidence to get clear answers.

Speakers

Sir Robert Buckland – Former Conservative MP for Swindon South; Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, 2019–21

Jess Garland – Director of Research and Policy, Electoral Reform Society

Professor Alan Renwick – Director of the Constitution Unit (Chair)