Richard Quigley, the MP for Isle of Wight West, has urged the government to address Britain’s “flawed” First Past the Post voting system.
The comments come as cross-party MPs, representing every region and nation of the UK, urged the government to establish a ‘National Commission for Electoral Reform’ during a Parliamentary debate on Thursday.
Quigley: First Past The Post is not fair
Isle of Wight West Labour MP, Richard Quigley, said,
“Fairness, democracy and equality are core Labour values. It’s obvious to everyone – most of all voters – that First Past The Post is not fair.
“We urgently need an independent National Commission to look at better alternatives.”
2024 general election most distorted in British history
Campaigners say the 2024 general election was the most distorted in British history, with Labour winning a landslide majority despite receiving just one in three votes. 21 per cent of voters backed either Green Party and Reform UK, yet these parties won a combined 10 seats – or 1 per cent of MPs.
Across the South East of England as a whole, the Conservatives won the popular vote by more than 6 per cent, yet Labour won more seats. Campaigns argue that outcomes like this distort the wishes of voters across the region and deny people fair representation.
Grand: Parliamentary majorities are a distortion of what people actually voted for
Andrew Grand, one of the MP’s local constituents and a supporter of campaign group Make Votes Matter, said,
“Over the last few years both Conservative and Labour Governments have claimed ‘a mandate’ from voters for their policies, but their parliamentary majorities are a distortion of what people actually voted for.
“We need an electoral system which is representative of the views of voters, not something which misrepresents those views into fictional majorities in Parliament.”
Historic vote
The debate followed an “historic” vote in favour of changing to a proportional voting system in December, when the House of Commons passed a symbolic motion with the support of 138 MPs, including 59 from the governing party.
The Backbench Business Debate was proposed by members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections, one of the largest and fastest growing such groups in Parliament.
Chowns: First Past the Post is broken
Ellie Chowns MP (Green), Vice Chair of the APPG, said,
“First Past the Post is broken. Its chief contribution to our politics is to drive instability, apathy, and disengagement.
“The public have made their view clear; the two-party system of old is gone, yet our voting system is keeping it on life support against their will.
“We need our political institutions to bolster trust in politics, not contribute to undermining it. It’s time for a National Commission on Electoral Reform, to identify and implement a voting system that ensures all votes are equal and every voice is heard.”
Earlier this month YouGov reported record support for changing to a proportional voting system (48 per cent) – and the lowest support for maintaining First Past the Post (24 per cent).
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