One of Compass’ evergreen campaigns is that for proportional representation. Doing away with the archaic first-past-the-post voting system is something self-evident to the new politics we here at Compass are trying to build. Ensuring cross-party collaboration and the best of all progressive ideas will be key to a democratic system that works in the people’s best interest going forward.

But there’s a darker side to FPTP too: how it contributes to inequality.

This little-researched area of the ramifications of our voting system and the political-socioeconomic system it exacerbates is now being dragged to the front. Our new paper, ‘Lifting the Lid on Britain’s Pressure-Cooker Politics’, authored by Stuart Donald, shows just how stark the links between the two are.

Joining our Deputy Director, Lena Swedlow, to talk about this are:

• Stuart Donald, author of ‘Lifting the Lid on Britain’s Pressure-Cooker Politics’ and ‘The Temper Trap‘. Stuart is a researcher and writer, committed to using data to prove that in today’s world, the First Past the Post electoral system no longer works and is driving countries that use it to destruction. A native of Perth, Stuart now lives in Linlithgow and works in Edinburgh where he leads a research and data analytics team. Stuart is also a husband, a dad and a supporter of Aberdeen FC.
• Emma Harrison is Chief Executive of Make Votes Matter and leads the organisation with a key focus on driving forward better governance, higher levels of engagement with the public and persuading politicians to support the principle of fair votes for all. She was the founding Chief Executive of IMIX, a not-for-profit communications agency dedicated to transforming public attitudes on migration. Emma’s passion for using strategic communications to drive social change has been a defining feature of her work. Throughout her career, Emma has been deeply committed to engaging the public and building movements for change. She has held senior leadership roles in a range of charities, spanning international development, the disability sector, and the consumer rights movement. Her expertise extends across multi-channel communications, policy development, and advocacy, which began with her formative experience working at the European Parliament. Outside of work Emma is an Arsenal season ticket holder, a mudlarker,  wild swimmer and is owned by her two dogs.

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