Introduction to Electoral Reform
Electoral Reform is becoming a hot-topic within the UK, particularly the debate surrounding the current electoral system, known as ‘First-Past-The-Post’. Many citizens are advocating for a shift towards a model which more accurately reflects the preferences of voters, this model is known as Proportional Representation. This change would enhance our democracy by ensuring that the diversity of opinion in our country sees votes counted in a fairer manner, while simultaneously pressuring politicians to conduct themselves in a meaningful way.
What is First-Past-The-Post?
The first-past-the-post system awards seats in Parliament to candidates who receive the most votes in their constituencies, makes sense, right? However, this model often leads to clear and unmistakable void between the percentage of votes received and the number of seats allocated once the votes are all counted. This void creates a catastrophic failure of the system, meaning many voices go unheard and unrepresented, creating a disconnect between the electorate and their representatives, on top of the disconnect many British people already feel when it comes to their elected officials.
A perfect example of such failure would be the 2024 General Election; Labour won 33% of the vote – roughly – and yet they went on to occupy nearly double that percentage in seats within Parliament. It doesn’t make sense, and it is not fair on the 67% of the country who didn’t vote for Labour, regardless of your opinion of the Labour Party.
The Solution? Proportional Representation
Unlike First-Past-The-Post, Proportional Representation aims to ensure that political parties gain seats in a more exact proportion to the percentage of the votes they receive. So, lets say that a party won 24% of votes at a general election, that party would then go on to occupy 24% of seats in the Parliament. This approach forces a stronger and more ethical democratic process, where smaller parties and diverse viewpoints have a fair chance at representation. By embracing proportional representation, the UK could foster a political landscape that is more reflective of its citizens’ values and opinions.
And that’s not even touching on the influence it would have on the behaviour of parties and politicians after electoral reforms (see our other blogs for more information).
At the New Democracy Group UK, we believe that understanding these electoral systems is crucial for building a movement inspired by Electoral Reform. By educating ourselves and others, we can create a more informed conversation surrounding electoral reform and work towards a future where every vote truly counts, and every vote is worth exactly the same as any other, no matter which party that vote is in favour of.