Yesterday there was a 10-minute motion debate and vote in the Commons about electoral reform. It was passed. It doesn't change much, it probably won't get much further because it's not a government bill. But it represents a major milestone in the long path to getting a fair voting system and ultimately representative government.
Sorry, that makes no sense. Yes we have a parliament which was elected by first past the post but does that mean it's not able to reform itself to become more representative? If that were the case, women wouldn't have the vote. In fact only men over 21 who are property owners would have the vote. Edit; we would also still have "rotten boroughs". And I'm not talking about Sheffield 6.
I'm all in favour of electoral reform. Have been since I studied British Government & Politics at Barnsley Sixth Form College from 81 to 83. Our system is better than the US one, but other than totalitarian regimes, there are few worse ones out there. Sadly neither Labour, or the Tories are going to look at it seriously. They survive on the status quo, no not that one @Stephen Dawson , LOL...
There is no way that the Tories will support electoral reform, but I think you might be wrong about Labour, there is a new cross-party group of MPs campaigning for it and it currently includes 55 Labour MPs, all of the LibDems and Greens, curiously no Reform UK MPs (despite them banging on about it at every opportunity, their real aim is clearly to take over the Tory party). If things continue to go wrong for Labour, more of their MPs will join the group, hopefully it will grow and eventually force change
I agree with your synopsis, but I think it will be a way off in the next couple of years. The electorate are largely uninterested sadly as well, which makes it not so much of a hot potato.
That's interesting. I studied Government and politics A level 81/2 as well. Evening class with a small seminar style session every week. You weren't in that were you?
I never said anything about timescales but if I were a Labour MP, I'd be pushing hard for PR, the Tories are continuing to move to the right and will join (be taken over by) Reform UK and be a position to get a majority at the next GE.
I can't argue with the fairness argument for PR, but I like to vote for a named person... particularly in local elections, rather than just the party list when you may get someone you don't actually want....I do know there are systems around that try to accommodate this but I'd have to see the detail before wanting a change.
Completely agree, I can’t think of a worse possible time to move to that voting system given the increasing popularity of far right vile political parties.
Im getting pretty worried to be honest. There is some crazy stuff going on at the minute and France is just the latest. What with South Korea and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and intensifying situation in Syria. With the surge in populist leaders and what I suspect is going to be 4 terrible years of Trump, the world has officially gone mad. I’d rather we delayed joining them for as long as possible.
Ah, I did Government & Politics at the Sixth Form between 86 and 88. If it looks like Labour may lose at the next (or subsequent) elections they need to whiz electoral reform through as soon as they can. We cannot risk another far right government, particularly if they remain intent on taking us out of the ECHR.
I think all kids should do some politics and government lessons, otherwise they grow up ignorant and uninterested in who rules our lives. At least then they can make a more informed decision at the ballot box instead of voting for the blond haired jolly fat lying git or the fascist lying bloke who likes a pint down the pub. I totally agree about Labour needing to wake up and do the right thing to stop ReformToryUK or whatever they'll call themselves when Farrage takes over.
