Episode 7: Elections

This week on the Agenda Podcast with Stephen Cole we look at elections and how how we vote can be as important as who we vote for. To look into electoral systems, and how they work, first we address the issue of vote swapping. 

We talk to Tom de Grunwald the founder of SwapmyVote.com about the new phenomenon of vote-swapping and how it influences elections [01.01]. Tom goes into the legality of the process and also talks about why he would prefer electoral reform in the UK, even if it means closing down his website [04.49].

We also talk to Albert Weale, Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy at the University College London. Professor Weale explains why there is really no such thing as a perfect electoral system [06.01]. 

He also goes into detail about what makes the UK’s first past the post system so unique within the realm of global electoral systems [10.11]. Finally Professor Weale tells about his latest book, The Will of the People: A Modern Myth, and what electoral system comes closest to the best electoral system in the world [11.50].