Key facts
- Nearly 100 Labour MPs are supporting a bid for a new national commission on electoral reform.
- The proposed commission would examine replacing the UK's first-past-the-post voting system.
- Recent polling indicates that 53% of MPs polled support a review of the current voting system.
- An amendment to launch the commission has garnered support from 185 MPs across eight parties.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously expressed support for proportional representation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to face immediate pressure from within his own party to advance electoral reform, with nearly 100 Labour MPs backing a proposal for a new national commission to explore alternatives to the first-past-the-post system. These MPs aim for the commission to report before the next general election, with the hope of including electoral reform in Labour's future manifesto.
While Number 10 has reiterated Burnham's commitment to electoral reform in the party's next manifesto, it has stopped short of endorsing the immediate establishment of a new commission. Recent polling by YouGov suggests that a majority of Members of Parliament now support a review of the current voting system, with 53% of those polled favouring such a review.
The amendment to establish the commission has been signed by 185 MPs from eight different parties, including former ministers and current ministerial aides. This amendment is being attached to the Representation of the People Bill, scheduled for its remaining stages in parliament on September 2.
Burnham himself has a history of advocating for electoral reform, having previously endorsed a manifesto commitment to proportional representation at the Labour conference in 2022. The signatories to the amendment, led by Labour MP Alex Sobel, include influential figures such as Luke Akehurst and Chris Curtis, as well as ministerial appointees like Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Private Secretary, Jo Platt. However, it is noted that frontbench MPs may withdraw their support for backbench amendments once parliament reconvenes.
MPs involved in the push believe that even if the amendment is out of scope for the bill, it serves as a strong signal of parliamentary support for swifter reform. A national commission could explore various proportional voting systems, contrasting with the current first-past-the-post method used for general elections. Other electoral systems are already in use across the UK for devolved assemblies and mayoral elections.
Alex Sobel stated that with a majority of MPs now backing the proposal, it is time for the Prime Minister to endorse the initiative. He expressed a desire to work with Burnham to implement fair and modern general elections. Other MPs, including former Treasury minister Rachel Blake, have urged the government to launch the commission within Burnham's first hundred days, emphasizing that the current system is "broken."
Supporters like Luke Akehurst highlighted the growing popularity of proportional representation within the Labour party and among the public, suggesting Burnham should seize the opportunity. MPs such as Lizzi Collinge and Catherine Fookes argued that first-past-the-post disadvantages certain demographics and fails to reflect the electorate's will in modern, multi-party politics. Mike Reader noted a "sea change" in support for PR, and campaign groups like Make Votes Matter are calling on Burnham to demonstrate his commitment to reform.