Why PR might not be right around the corner

Here is an accessible pre-print chapter written by Adrian Balu on the prospects for electoral reform, and the possible effects on the party system.  It argues that significant electoral reform remains unlikely in the UK. Even if a hung parliament arises, electoral reform may not be initiated; even if electoral reform is initiated, it may not be enacted; even if electoral reform is enacted, it may not be a radical change.

The envelopes die in vain

Amid all the hoo-ha about British MPs expenses - fridges, sofas, and food allowances - what about the electoral advantage of being able to spend over a 100 grand a year digging into your constituency?  Yet as Ron Johnston and Charles Pattie show in this paper, there appears to be no relationship at all between parliamentary expenditure by Labour or Liberal Democrat MPs and their electoral performance.   There is, though, a benefit for Conservative MPs.  All those Labour MPs thinking that their communication allowance might save them next time, might need to think again. 

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