Britain's Electoral System Is Broken. Here's Why.

Laura sits down with Lena Swedlow, Deputy Director of Compass, for a deep dive into one of the great questions in British politics: is the electoral system fundamentally broken?

Drawing on Compass’s latest research, Lena argues that first-past-the-post hasn’t just shaped election outcomes, but actively shaped the country. From entrenched inequality to the rise of Reform UK and the Brexit vote, the pair explore how Britain’s political system may have created the very instability it now struggles to contain.

The discussion unpacks why decades of two-party dominance left many voters feeling ignored, particularly in so-called “safe seats,” and how that democratic disillusionment has driven shocks in recent years. Lena explains how economic decline, lack of representation, and a narrow focus on swing voters have combined to produce a system where millions feel their votes simply don’t matter.

Laura and Lena also challenge common narratives around Brexit and the rise of populism, revealing that these movements are more about economic insecurity and lack of political agency than the culture wars.

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