Today [July 17 2025] marks a historic moment for British democracy. The Government has published its long-awaited Strategy for Elections, announcing the most significant package of democratic reforms in a generation.
There’s genuine progress to celebrate, but also a glaring omission that we cannot ignore.
The good news: democracy getting a 21st century upgrade
The Government deserves credit for recognising that our democratic system needs to be modernised. It’s clear that they’ve been listening – Open Britain, Fair Vote UK, and the APPG for Fair Elections have explicitly recommended practically everything on this list.
Today’s announcements include:
Votes at 16: Young people who work, pay taxes, and serve in the military will finally get the vote in all UK elections – a major step toward engaging the next generation in democracy.
Easier voter ID: Bank cards will now be accepted as voter ID, alongside digital versions of existing documents like driving licenses and veteran cards. This should help address the fact that 4 per cent of non-voters cited ID issues as a barrier in 2024.
Automated registration: Moving toward systems that automatically register eligible voters, learning from countries like Australia and Canada, making it easier for people to participate.
Tackling dark money: New rules will close loopholes that allow foreign interference through “shell companies,” requiring proper checks on donations over £500 and empowering the Electoral Commission with fines up to £500,000.
Protecting candidates: Stronger measures against harassment and intimidation, including removing requirements to publish candidates’ home addresses – addressing the shocking fact that 55 per cent of candidates faced abuse in 2024.
These are meaningful reforms that will make our democracy more accessible, transparent, and secure… and we welcome them.
The elephant in the room: a tale of two voting systems
But here’s where things get bizarre. Just last week, the Government scrapped First Past the Post for mayoral elections, arguing it “can lead to individuals being elected with only a small proportion of the total votes cast” and that “Mayors should be elected with a greater consensus among their electors.”
Yet today’s strategy completely ignores the same problem for Westminster elections – where it’s actually much worse. In 2024:
* 85 per cent of MPs were elected with less than 50 per cent of the vote
* 41 per cent were elected with less than 40 per cent of the vote
* One MP won with just 27 per cent of the vote
* 58 per cent of voters didn’t get the MP they voted for
* Labour won almost two-thirds of seats on just one-third of the vote
The Government’s own logic says First Past the Post is too flawed for mayors – but somehow perfectly fine for the MPs who run the country. It’s a contradiction so obvious it’s almost comical.
The momentum is building for real change
The evidence for voting system reform has never been stronger:
Public opinion: The latest British Social Attitudes survey shows record support for proportional representation – 60% of voters now back change, including majorities from all major parties.
Parliamentary support: The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections is now the biggest APPG in Parliament – larger than the Official Opposition – showing the sheer scale of cross-party support for reform.
Historic breakthrough: The House of Commons voted in favour of PR for the first time ever in December, and in January’s Backbench Business Debate almost no one defended First Past the Post.
Labour’s own policy: The party officially recognises that FPTP is “flawed” and contributes to “distrust and alienation” in politics. They were right then – they’ll be wrong if they don’t act on it now.
Our solution: the National Commission on Electoral Reform
The APPG for Fair Elections – which Open Britain has helped build and drive – has proposed a practical way forward: a National Commission on Electoral Reform. This independent body would:
* Take the politics out of voting system reform
* Examine all the evidence objectively
* Propose solutions based on what works best for democracy
* Give politicians cover to make difficult but necessary decisions
It’s not about imposing a particular system – it’s about having an honest, expert-led conversation about what’s best for Britain’s future.
Have no doubt: your support is making a difference
This momentum didn’t happen by accident. Open Britain supporters [and West Country Voices readers! Ed] – YOU! – have helped build the APPG for Fair Elections into a parliamentary powerhouse. Your backing has enabled us to:
* Support cross-party MPs in making the case for reform
* Generate the research and evidence that’s shifting the debate
* Build coalitions that span the political spectrum
* Keep voting system reform on the agenda when others might give up
The fact that we’re even talking about these issues at the highest levels of government shows the power of sustained, strategic campaigning.
What happens next?
The Government will bring forward an Elections Bill to implement these reforms. That’s our opportunity to press for the National Commission to be included. We need to:
* Keep building pressure through the APPG and supportive MPs
* Demonstrate continued public demand for voting system reform
* Show that the Commission is a reasonable, practical next step
* Ensure the Government can’t ignore this issue indefinitely
This is a marathon, not a sprint – but we’re winning. Every survey, every parliamentary vote, every new APPG member brings us closer to the breakthrough we need.
The Bigger Picture
Today’s reforms matter enormously. They’ll make our democracy more accessible, more secure, and more representative. But without fixing the voting system itself, we’re still building on fundamentally shaky foundations.
Britain’s democracy should be leading the world, not lagging behind it. The decisions made in this Parliament will shape the democracy your children and grandchildren inherit. We have a chance to get this right – but only if we keep pushing.
Thank you for making this work possible. Your support has brought us closer to real democratic renewal than we’ve ever been.
All the very best,
Mark Kieran
CEO, Open Britain