MPs call for a National Commission to replace First-Past-the-Post
Last week, MPs, including our own LD MP Lisa Smart, debated Proportional Representation in the House of Commons and called for the establishment of a National Commission to investigate and recommend a change to the current flawed system. Over twenty MPs from across the House spoke up in favour of change; just one backbencher gave a speech to defend the current First-Past-the-Post system.
PR is already used in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in different forms, as well as in the vast majority of democracies worldwide. So why not here? Evidence shows that PR leads to higher voter turnout and more representative governments.
Lisa Smart MP, Backbench Business Debate on PR, 30 January 2025
Following the historic vote in favour of Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney's bill to adopt PR last December (who also spoke in last week's debate), it shows a momentum slowly taking hold and our MPs firmly leading the way. You can watch the debate here.
As a reminder, LDER's preferred system has and continues to be the Single Transferable Vote, which we believe most empowers the voter by allowing them to choose not only their preferred party but also individual candidates.