12 min read
How the votes are counted, from the box to the result
Follow one ballot paper from the sealed box in the school hall to the national result, and see who checks each step. Builds on “What a parliamentary committee does”.
Blog
Latest letters
One new letter every Sunday. Each says which earlier letter it builds on, so you can read them in any order.
14 min read
How a law is made, from first draft to signature
The path of a bill through a small parliament: who writes it, who reads it, who may change it and who signs it at the end. Builds on “What a parliamentary committee does”.
13 min read
How the budget is set, one year at a time
How the plan for next year’s money is drawn up, argued over and voted on, with a made-up town as the example. Builds on “Where the money comes from, a tax year in plain words”.
Newsletter
Small State Letter
A short letter every Sunday: how one part of public life works in a small country, explained plainly.
“The one email I open the day it lands.”