The Constitution Unit

Conference 2023: Panel 4 Elections and Electoral Reform

Episode Summary

Would electoral reform be desirable or practical, and should other reforms such as the minimum voting age, voter ID rules, or the proposals of the Law Commissions be considered? Would such reform be desirable or practical and how might any such changes be delivered?

Episode Notes

Adopting a more proportional electoral system is opposed by the Conservative Party, and by the Labour leader, but attracts growing support elsewhere. Would such reform be desirable or practical, and what might be its consequences? What might politicians wish to consider regarding other aspects of our elections, such as the minimum voting age, voter ID rules, or the reform proposals of the Law Commissions? How might any such changes be delivered?

Speakers

Cat Smith MP – Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and former shadow minister for the Cabinet Office

Lord (Robert) Hayward – Conservative peer

John Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral Commission

Professor Sarah Birch – Professor of Political Science at King’s College London

Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL