Dear Roger, It’s a big week for Make Votes Matter. Today, MVM was appointed co-secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections, the largest APPG in Parliament, which we’ve supported since its inception (and in prior forms).
We are delighted to partner with Unlock Democracy, and thank Fair Vote for the work they undertook in the first year. We look forward to working with the Officers: Alex Sobel, Labour & Cooperative MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove, Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire and Lord Balfe, Conservative Peer. |
No time for celebration though, as we’ve just heard that the Elections & Democracy Bill will be tabled this week.
Trust in politics is crumbling. Voters feel ignored and powerless, and the only way to fix it is through fundamental change. The upcoming Elections and Democracy Bill offers a vital chance to reverse this trend. With broad support for fairer elections, Parliament must seize this rare opportunity to truly empower ordinary voters. Missing this moment would be a historic mistake.
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The Good News The Bill makes important strides towards a stronger democracy, including: - Votes at 16: Expanding democratic participation.
- Automatic Voter Registration: Making it easier for everyone to engage.
- Wider Voter ID: Improving accessibility
- Tackling Abuse: Stronger measures against the harassment of candidates and campaigners.
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The Bad News For all its positive steps, the Bill has one colossal omission: electoral reform. Our First Past the Post system is outdated. It creates Parliaments that don't reflect how people vote, deepens regional divides, and tells millions their vote doesn't matter. Political volatility and voter disengagement will continue until we fix this. This Bill must be the starting point for a national conversation on electoral reform, including establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform to build consensus on a fairer system where every vote truly counts. |
Money, Influence and Fairness The role of money in politics is a major test for the Bill. While there are encouraging signs, like expected checks on Unincorporated Associations and plans to block foreign money, the Bill still falls short. Crucially, there is no move to end unlimited donations. This allows wealthy individuals and corporations to exert disproportionate influence. If we are serious about restoring trust, we must push dark money and hidden influence out of our political system for good. |
Protecting Election Integrity The independence of the Electoral Commission is non-negotiable for free and fair elections. Any measure that retains government influence over the democracy watchdog will destroy public confidence. The Bill must restore, not weaken, the Commission's independence.
We also need stronger action to confront the growing threat of disinformation and deception, both domestic and foreign. The Bill must rise to the scale of this threat to protect our elections from manipulation.
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Time for Ambition Given the crisis in our democracy, the Elections & Democracy Bill simply does not go far enough. We urge the Government and MPs to be more ambitious, specifically by: - Establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform.
- Fully restoring the independence of the Electoral Commission.
- Ending unlimited donations to restore transparency to political funding.
- Setting out clear plans to tackle disinformation and deception.
Let's not waste this moment. Let's work together to restore trust in our politics and build a truly representative democracy. Over coming months we’ll be asking you to help us get Proportional Representation on the agenda.
Watch this space! |
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With hope and dedication, Emma Make Votes Matter |
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Make Votes Matter Copyright © 2019-2025 Make Votes Matter, all rights reserved. Make Votes Matter is a single-issue campaign for Proportional Representation in the House of Commons and encourages all parties, candidates and MPs to support PR. It does not endorse any party or candidates. Promoted by Make Votes Matter, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. |
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