Should we change the way members vote?
Hypothesis?
The research project will set out to answer a few questions. Is the current voting system fit for purpose? Would a few small tweaks improve the system? Or is a complete overhaul of the voting system required?
Background
The House of Commons has used a division for voting since the rebuilding of Parliament after the great fire of 1834. The process and procedure has changed very little since then, the main difference being the time of the division to allow members whose offices are further away a greater chance of voting on time . The debate until now has focused on how we elect Members into the chamber, but it is lacking analysis on whether the procedure for member voting is still relevant. Since the 2015 election, there have been ever more vociferous calls for a change to the voting system used to elect Members to the House of Commons. Westminster heralds itself on its traditions, typically reluctant to reform. While external voting reform is being called for, has the time come for Westminster to look at itself in regards to its voting process? Westminster has an age old tradition of voting through the lobbies. Most democracies have moved to a more modern form of voting. The Scottish Parliament has a system of electronic voting, is this something that Westminster should follow? …show more content…
In a world where we can be connected to people all around the world in seconds, do we still need to run through the parliamentary estate to simply have our name checked off to show voting intentions?
This research project will assess the relative strengths and weakness of the current voting system with a view to proposing an
Hypothesis?
The research project will set out to answer a few questions. Is the current voting system fit for purpose? Would a few small tweaks improve the system? Or is a complete overhaul of the voting system required?
Background
The House of Commons has used a division for voting since the rebuilding of Parliament after the great fire of 1834. The process and procedure has changed very little since then, the main difference being the time of the division to allow members whose offices are further away a greater chance of voting on time . The debate until now has focused on how we elect Members into the chamber, but it is lacking analysis on whether the procedure for member voting is still relevant. Since the 2015 election, there have been ever more vociferous calls for a change to the voting system used to elect Members to the House of Commons. Westminster heralds itself on its traditions, typically reluctant to reform. While external voting reform is being called for, has the time come for Westminster to look at itself in regards to its voting process? Westminster has an age old tradition of voting through the lobbies. Most democracies have moved to a more modern form of voting. The Scottish Parliament has a system of electronic voting, is this something that Westminster should follow? …show more content…
In a world where we can be connected to people all around the world in seconds, do we still need to run through the parliamentary estate to simply have our name checked off to show voting intentions?
This research project will assess the relative strengths and weakness of the current voting system with a view to proposing an