If Labour is serious about integrity in politics, they simply can’t defend the hugely undemocratic first past the post system which handed them 2 thirds seats on 1 third of vote & effectively disenfranchises so many in “safe seats” whose votes don’t count
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/17/labour-divided-over-calls-to-scrap-first-past-the-post-after-landslide-win?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
[2024-07-17 08:46 UTC]
@CarolineLucas @svgeesus I would normally agree, but it would have meant a lot more reform candidates, so I am now really split on the idea
@coderanger @CarolineLucas Yes, if a sizable portion of the electorate vote for awful parties then proportional representation means that this is, well, represented in the number of seats. But the portion voting for progressive parties such as Greens are also represented.
(I have a small hope that the high votes for Reform this past election represent some sort of disaffected Tory vote, who will go back to voting Tory now Labour is in power.)
@CarolineLucas
We, (LibDems) tried to change from FPP to a less bad system with the 2011 AV referendum. It was a costly failure, 68% of a low (42%) turnout opposed it. We were betrayed by most of the rest of the left by their not supporting this change, and I don't need to tell you what happened after 2015, after which even a few more MPs with majority support on 2nd or 3rd AV preferences could have changed the Parliamentary geometry enough to have made for changes of policy.
1. Making a not offered more proportional system the enemy of an option which is on offer better than the bad system you have can never be a great idea.
2. It seems unlikely, based on this experience, a voting system change will ever be popular introduced via a referendum. The only other legitimate means of obtaining PR is through a mandate obtained through election manifestos obtaining majority support within Parliament. With the impending collapse of the Tory Party, this could happen by the next general election, especially if Tory MP defections or a Tory party split make us (Lib Dems or a Lib/Green coalition) the official opposition.