Even long-time defenders of First Past the Post are struggling to make its case. George Osborne warns that in today’s multi-party landscape, FPTP can no longer be seen as a bulwark against the extremes, but more like a “floodgate”. Any party topping 30% could sweep away its rivals.

Votes at 16 is a big step forward. The evidence from Scotland, where 16 and 17-year olds have had the vote since 2014, is that young people engage strongly with democracy and, when they start voting early, they keep on voting as they get older. That can only boost our democracy.

“The traditional foundations of Conservative and Labour politics are not there.” At this week’s webinar, Prof Sir John Curtice brilliantly explained why the two-party system is breaking down like never before. Electorally, he argued, “we are in a different world.” The voting system must catch up.

🗨️"The thing about a democracy is the electoral system is supposed to deliver what the voters want." Instead, looking around councils in England we see some very warped outcomes. But it doesn't have to be this way. In Scotland & Wales, the results better reflect the balance of opinion among voters.

“We do have to maintain a bedrock of freedom of speech and of peaceful protest... Otherwise, you don’t have democracy, you’ve locked it up.” Baroness Hale says it plainly. Yet just this week, MPs approved more draconian anti-protest measures. When dissent is suppressed, so is democracy itself.

💬 “It’s an extremely unpredictable & suboptimal system that requires voters to engage in a lot of game playing.” - @robfordmancs.bsky.social. In today's multi-party environment, First Past the Post lowers the bar for politicians while raising it for voters.

Voters should have their say on what's going on in their communities - not least the massive, unnecessary local government reorganisation that is being imposed on them by Whitehall.

Young people who begin voting at 16 are more likely to stay voters for life. We can’t wait to see that energy in UK elections 🗳️ #v16 #VotesAt16

“Multi-party politics is here to stay - and given our electoral system, which is built on the premise of two-party politics, that means a lot more volatility, a lot more uncertainty.” Looking ahead to May, @robfordmancs.bsky.social predicts “a patchwork quilt of political fragmentation.”

"If you're going to maintain an appointed system, you have to ask 'how do you Johnson-proof it?'" Only 55 peers decided to tackle that question last night, by backing a proposal to give the House of Lords Appointments Commission the power to block unsuitable appointees. 1/3

Sports World, Hole 17 🌆 Long straight throw across the plaza, over the tram lines — straight in. That’s a satisfying one 🎯 #DiscGolf #UrbanDiscGolf

Russia and Belarus have started joint military exercises on the combat use of nuclear weapons on May 19 through May 21. 64,000 troops will participate in the exercises. Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, long-range aviation […] [Original post on mstdn.social]

Jalla by Antigoni #Eurovisión2026 Cyprus 🇨🇾

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating employee-owned organizations that put stewardship into action—from environmental education to clean energy. Proud to stand with orgs like Empowered Energy Systems 🌍 Read here: https://www.rmeoc.org/employee-ownership/success-stories/empowered-energy-systems/

Dune 3 trailer is out #entertainmentnews #dune3

Absolutely epic session of GUNVEIN. Insane levels of cortisol flowing through my body as I attempt to navigate this maze of razors... #SHMUP #Gaming #BulletHell #Gunvein

Image created on the #Davinci app Video created on the #dreamface app #aiart #aiartcommunity #aiartwork #aiartist #Caturday

Unsere Arbeitswelt verändert sich rasant: Strukturwandel, Fachkräftemangel, sozial-ökologische Transformation und KI. Wir wollen, dass alle Menschen damit Schritt halten können. Die Lösung: #Weiterbildung. Deshalb bringen wir einen Antrag in den Bundestag ein. 1/2

Próximamente: "A la manera de Italia. España y el gótico mediterráneo (1320-1420)". La restauración de los apóstoles Simón y Mateo, de la catedral de Toledo

Absolutely!! I have no idea why I took this video that night but every time I watch it I can feel the peace I felt at that moment. In Texas, the summers get so hot that I would rather go out at night and weed. After dark you see some cool things in the garden. I highly recommend.

Listen to the Professor, Robert Reich: Is Donald Trump trying to start a recession? #Trumpflation

Rooted in tradition, lighting the way toward the future. Happy #Kwanzaa!

Heute vor 54 Jahren: Am 2. Mai 1972 zündeten die #USA im Rahmen von Operation Grommet die 32. Atombombe "Misty North". Grommet war eine Serie von #Kernwaffentests bei der 1971/72 insgesamt 39 Bomben größtenteils im Testgebiet in #Nevada unterirdisch gezündet wurden.

⌛ Medieval graffiti in Jerusalem's holy hall 👉 Researchers have discovered "secret" medieval graffiti inside the famous Cenacle Hall in Jerusalem. The inscriptions came from pilgrims from Europe and the Middle East. New... 🔗 whyrwe.com/@26/0520-1707 #️⃣ #whyrwe #factuallyfun #history

The US Constitution is 7,500 words. You could read it in under an hour. He apparently couldn't be bothered. Or more likely can't read. New piece. Trump vs the Constitution. 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/austinsi... #Constitution #Trump #Emoluments #WarPowers

#oilers #coach #explore #fyp #BreakingNewsUSA Full story: https://jqjo.com/2026-05-14/us/Sports/en/bs/Edmonton-fires-coach-Kris-Knoblauch-after-playoff-exit/1276332

🕹️ Free now on epic 🕹️ Free now until: May 21 • The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition • Sunderfolk - Standard Edition

Trump TACO TUESDAY Iranian Lego Propaganda #Lego #Iran #War #StraitOfHormuz @dinochka.bsky.social @tobieonice.bsky.social @uclabruin1998.bsky.social @oldladyinaz.bsky.social @oprev7.bsky.social

🔥 The Kremlin’s reaction to the end of Khamenei’s regime in Iran shows fear, and desperation. Putin condemns the attack but offers only condolences as Tehran’s top leader falls — the third strategic partner toppled in just over a year after Syria and Venezuela. Is Putin next? #RussiaIsCollapsing

No tpč

If you’re not posting… you’re disappearing. Your competitors are showing up daily. You’re not. Guess who gets the customers? We help small businesses stay consistent without wasting time. 7 posts a week. 5 platforms. £99/month.

❌ “ #Israël does not represent the #Jëwish people. #Judaïsm is a faith, not a flag, not a government, not a nation state. #Anti-Zïonism is NOT #Anti-sëmitism. #Zïonism is not #Judaïsm. #Israël is not the state of the #Jëws. Being #Anti-Zïonist and #Anti-Israëli does not make you #Anti-Sëmitic "

🔴 El PSOE ganaría las elecciones generales según el CIS que lo sitúa a más de 11 puntos del PP, que sube 1,3 puntos ▪️ La encuesta se hizo en plena campaña de las elecciones andaluzas antes de la imputación del expresidente Zapatero 🎙️ Leticia Audibert

It’s game day! #goRU #chop #rutgersfootball #Rutgers #collegefootball

Thin crispy crepe with Nutella, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and crunchy cornflakes, topped with ice cream and whipped cream. Get this at the Tia Crepe (티아 크레페) stall at the Bupyeong Market in Incheon, South Korea. Prices for crepes generally range from US$2.50 to $3.30 each. #streetfood

Heartwarming and hilarious. In a world full of gray skies, one little girl is bringing the house down. Penelope isn't just walking home; she’s headlining her own sold-out world tour. From the driveway to the front door, she’s proving that rain or shine, the stage is wherever you make it.

Ukrainian FP-1/FP-2 guided strike drone launching a salvo of unguided air-to-ground rockets against a strategic Black Sea Fleet communications node in Crimea. This is the first footage showing the use of unguided rockets from the FP-1/FP-2 onboard camera.

The balls on this guy., OMG

#GivingTuesday is almost here! Your generosity makes a lasting impact. Last year, donors like you helped train clinicians, fund scholarships, and expand compassionate care for families. Tomorrow, you can make a difference again. https://ow.ly/2W8G50XA92Q

He’s a good guy. 😎 (customs again, plz don’t behave this way in standard, unless warranted 😉) #deadbydaylight #deadbydaylightgameplay #deadbydaylightmoments #gaming #dbd

Water signs are like this too 😂 ♏️🦂

The eyebrow thing in spicy romance books gets me every single time. One tiny look and the whole scene turns into emotional damage. #BookTok #SpicyRomance #Romantasy

Making good trouble at the anti ICE protest in Austin. #notonemore

What a man. #AEW #AEWCollision 🤼

NOOOOOOOOO I WAS ON THE WRONG LAYER😭😭😭😭😭😭 Its easier for me to notice blank spaces by using a separate layer, and idk how to fix it without coloring EVERYTHING AGAIN😭😭😭😭

Excavators are used to dig trenches for infantry to burrow in as shells fly overhead, which would otherwise take much more time and manpower to dig. Ukrainian engineers are not saved from the dangers of the invasion while building fortifications. Drones hunt them all the same.

I’ve added goblins to my dark fantasy game, Crimson Rest. They’re the second enemy I’ve introduced so far, and I plan to add many more. What do you think? #indiedev #gamedev #godot #darkfantasy #psx #nostalgic

"[Victor Wembanyama] wants to have this feeling and do this 15-20 more times in his career." @anthonyVslater on Wemby's 'outwardly emotional' reaction to the Spurs winning the Western Conference finals 🏆 Original post

Typowe zasięgi dronów światłowodowych to ponad 50 kilometrów. Przykładowo, drony wykorzystywane przez Siły Zbrojne Ukrainy są w stanie operować na dystansie około 41 km. Należy jednak pamiętać, że w przypadku bardziej zaawansowanych eksperymentów, teoretyczny zasięg mógłby sięgnąć nawet 1000 km.

June is Pride month. People who are not able to accept people who are different from them are narrow. Each of us has strengths no matter where we come from no matter what the color of our skin and no matter what gender we identify with. Stay strong 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Tyler Adams on balancing a looming World Cup and finishing the Premier League season. #USMNT APPLE: tinyurl.com/bdd7584d SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/45pdmhnw YOUTUBE: youtu.be/Wvgiiz40QRY

Did you know this wild fact about the human body? 🦴🩸✨ Beth shares gems that'll make you love massage therapy even more. #FridayFunFacts #FunFacts #DidYouKnow #trivia

🚨 ATENÇÃO FÃS DE STREETS OF RAGE! 👉 Mais detalhes no nosso portal! #AlternativaNerd #streetsofrage #sega #games #videogames

Running the Show! [Vocal Cover] FULL COVER IN REPLIES Loved this show since day one so I'm showing appreciation for the neurodivergent goat the only way I can. Art by @icebitez.bsky.social #theamazingdigitalcircus #tadc #cover

“You act like these people are not people.” Outside Delaney Hall, a protester broke down pleading for empathy. At one point she asked, “What if your wife was in there, pregnant, begging for help?” The pain in her voice says everything. 💔 #SheShed

Ari Fletcher in the building at Summer Walker’s concert

I have to admit, I’m super curious about the vibe in the Indian Fever locker room these days. I could see it being miserable but I also think it’s highly possible we are all blowing this way out of proportion and everything is just fine.

📍 Ronda, Spanien 🇪🇸 Eine Stadt, die direkt über einer gewaltigen Schlucht erbaut wurde 😮 Ronda liegt etwa 700 Meter über dem Meeresspiegel; seine beiden Stadthälften werden durch die berühmte Brücke Puente Nuevo miteinander verbunden.

YouTuber refused to give up his $2,000 section for Lil Baby and his friends,“I’m not moving.”