Motion on Proportional Representation
2023 Labour Party Conference ratified policy that “The flaws in the current voting system are contributing to the distrust and alienation we see in politics”.
First Past the Post (FPTP) has produced chaos and instability - with five Prime Ministers in the last seven years. It has undermined public faith and engagement in our politics - with satisfaction with British democracy at an all time low. It has made millions of voters feel their voice does not count - with only those in marginal seats truly listened to and sought after.
A Labour government cannot come soon enough, and nor can the democratic renewal it will bring with it. FPTP that has helped empower the Tories to govern callously, destructively and unaccountably - all without ever winning a majority of the popular vote.
The 2022 Party conference made the historic decision to support Proportional Representation (PR) for general elections. A motion calling for Labour to implement this change in its first term in government passed with the overwhelming support of both CLPs and unions.
As a democratic socialist party, Labour’s commitment to PR is an expression of our values of equality, democracy, and fairness.
This BLP/CLP:
Recognises the overwhelming support across the Labour movement for a fairer, proportional voting system.
Agrees with Labour Party policy, that “The flaws in the current voting system are contributing to the distrust and alienation we see in politics”.
Supports the introduction of PR for general elections by the next Labour government.