As the central focus of British politics the House of Commons provides ample evidence of just why our elections need to change.

First-Past-the-Post contests have served to deny millions of voters a real voice in Westminster, made MPs unaccountable to their constituents, while forcing parties into the kind of Punch and Judy politics that turns off so many voters. 

A new House of Commons

Securing a change in the voting system for the Commons is an inevitably slow process: very few politicians are overly keen on altering the system that keeps them in power. But popular pressure is changing all that, and today we need your support.

We want to see a modern House of Commons. And that means a Parliament that’s truly representative. A parliament where your vote has a decent chance of deciding who speaks in your name. Where you have a real link to your MP.  Where cooperation isn't a rude word.

That’s why the Society believes that the Single Transferable Vote (STV) is the best reform we could choose for Westminster.

Strong Voters We want to increase the power of the public in elections by giving everyone a vote that really counts, and choice and competition on polling day.

Accountable Politicians. Voters need a real link with their politicians, and the chance to hold them to account.

Popular Government We want our government elected and supported by the majority of voters, and not the few.

Mature politics We need a politics where debate and cooperation takes the place of confrontation and fake theatre.

The UK General Election of 5 May 2005: Report and Analysis

The final ERS verdict on the 2005 General Election

Britain's Experiences of Electoral Systems

An ERS report by L Baston and K Ritchie

Review of Voting Systems (Condensed)

The view from the APPGER

Electing Members of Parliament

A guide to FPTP