I’ve been asked to be an expert witness at the ERRE (The House of Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform) on July 28 where I will be elaborating on my thoughts in this column on the importance of focussing on principles in the debate on electoral reform. I will also be discussing what citizens’ assemblies might teach us about how to reason and deliberate about the complexities of this subject.
Here are my speaking notes for the ERRE committee. I may or may not follow them so they are only a close approximation to what I might say. Since I discuss principles, it’s worth noting how this government and others have framed the debate around electoral principles. My summary of what principles have been used and by which study is here.