2026 contemporary motion

For the first time in our democratic history, Britain has a Prime Minister who strongly support Proportional Representation. But to make it happen, he needs our help and support.

The most important thing you can do right now to win fair votes is table our contemporary motion to the 2026 Labour Party conference, calling for the first step towards electoral reform.

Please let us know you’re tabling a PR motion by completing this form, so we can keep track of which CLPs we have covered.

For full information and guidance check out the Frequently Asked Questions section below - or contact us.

The contemporary motion is as follows…

Electoral reform: the first step

In 2023, the Labour Party adopted official policy recognising that "the flaws in the current voting system are contributing to the distrust and alienation we see in politics". This year, election experts have warned First Past the Post is under greater strain than ever - risking unrepresentative results, political instability, growing distrust, and undermining of our democracy. Millions know their votes do not count.

With the overwhelming backing of affiliated trade unions and CLPs, Conference already carried a motion in support of Proportional Representation (PR) for general elections and called for “an open and inclusive process” to choose a new voting system. The Prime Minister, who says “PR’s time has definitely come”, has endorsed such a process: a National Commission on Electoral Reform.

Recent events have demonstrated unprecedented support for this proposal amongst the Parliamentary Labour Party. An amendment to September’s Representation of the People Bill calling for a National Commission has been signed by more MPs than any other since the last general election, most of them Labour MPs. There is now strong agreement across all of Labour’s constituent parts on the need to address the voting system.

In response to this new development, Conference resolves that the Labour Government should take a first step towards a fair voting system for UK general elections, by launching a National Commission on Electoral Reform within the Prime Minister’s first 100 days.

Word count: 229

FAQs

  • The last two years have seen significant strides towards Labour coming on board with Proportional Representation, with 80% of CLP delegates voting in favour of PR at last year’s conference.

    The motion did not pass as not all trade unions had been able to form their electoral reform policy, due to Covid delaying their own conferences.

    Since then Unite, CWU and Unison have all changed policy on electoral reform.

    With new support from the trade unions we can win - changing Labour’s policy on the fundamental nature of democratic power in the UK.

  • You should say why you believe Labour should commit to electoral reform. The key thing is not to delve into different systems, but focus on the principle of Proportional Representation.

    You can find a detailed CLP briefing here.

  • It depends on the structure of your CLP - but it's a simple process either way.

    If your CLP has an All Member Meeting (AMM) structure, simply email a copy of the motion to your CLP secretary asking for it to be discussed at your next meeting. If your CLP uses a General Committee (GC) structure, you'll need to send it to your branch secretary first.

    You can find your CLP secretary's email address on your membership card - and you probably receive emails from both your CLP and branch secretary inviting you to meetings.

    For a more detailed explanation, see this guidance document.

  • Achieving something as substantial as changing the electoral system requires us to build support across the whole Labour movement. Last year was vital in demonstrating the strength of membership support - and creating the space for unions to have this debate.

    Since last year Unite, CWU and Unison have all changed policy on electoral reform.

    If CLPs can make sure PR makes it to the conference floor, with new trade union backing, we can win.

  • This year we have new support from trade unions - but to get PR debated and won on the conference floor, we need CLPs to prioritise it.

    Even if your CLP already supports PR, get this new motion passed! The more CLP motions submitted, the more likely we are to succeed.

  • Even if your CLP chooses a different subject as its conference motion, you should still table our motion for your CLP to pass in principle.

    Doing so will give your CLP’s delegates a fresh mandate to prioritise PR in the ‘priorities ballot’ (which decides which issues will proceed to debate on the conference floor).

  • It's entirely up to you what you propose.

    If you do make changes, we'd encourage you to keep the resolves section as it is. It makes things simpler if we're all asking for the same outcomes!

    It’s also possible for other members to propose amendments to the motion at your meeting. This isn't necessarily a problem, but try not to let the key points get watered down.

    Remember, there is a 250 word limit for motions - not including the title.