Government should fund primary elections and candidates’ campaigning expenses

14 Nov 2011 03:49 PM

In a report out today, the Institute for Government sets out a package of proposals to reform candidate selection to increase the diversity of MPs and enhance public participation.

'Party People: How do – and how should – British political parties select their parliamentary candidates?' is an extensive analysis of what works in choosing parliamentary candidates. The report argues that “given the preponderance of safe seats in the country, it is at this stage – rather than on election day itself – that the identity of many if not most Members of Parliament is determined”. As a result, many MPs are effectively chosen by a small group of (often unrepresentative) party activists.

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