Gaps in Elections Bill risk chaos, warn leading experts
The Government published its long-promised bill to reform elections on 12 February. This legislation will lower the voting age, tighten political donation rules, and move towards automatic voter registration.
But the 'Representation of the People Bill' just doesn’t do what it says on the tin - most people still won’t be represented.
Because it doesn't address First Past the Post, the Bill does nothing to stop random, unrepresentative election results. It does nothing to stem the resulting collapse of trust and confidence in our political system. And it does nothing to prevent an extreme party winning absolute power with less than 30% of the vote.
Experts and Labour politicians are sounding the alarm on Britain’s broken voting system. On Saturday, dozens of leading academics wrote a letter warning the Government that First Past the Post risks chaos at future elections.
The letter from over 50 constitutional, legal and political experts says that “the collision of a multi-party electorate with a voting system designed for just two parties is creating new risks for Britain”. It pushes ministers to engage with these threats if they are to protect our democracy, guard against instability, and stem public distrust.
Reacting to the Bill this week, even more Labour MPs have publicly called for the Government to get to grips with First Past the Post. This includes Sean Woodcock MP & Jo Platt MP writing in Labour List and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP writing for Progress.
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
By Zoe Crowther
"Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an "unprecedented" scale at the next general election."
🚨 Over 50 leading academics have sounded the alarm on the UK's voting system ⚠️ In an era of multi-party politics, First Past the Post risks “random and arbitrary” results like never before 🗳️ The experts' letter warn Ministers they must address this to stem growing instability and distrust
— APPG for Fair Elections (@appgfairelections.bsky.social) 14 February 2026 at 07:46
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"Labour must confront the crisis of First Past the Post before it’s too late"
By Sean Woodcock MP & Jo Platt MP
"Fourteen years of austerity, infighting and scandal. The UK worse off on every conceivable measure, from our international standing, to our waterways, to the NHS. That is the legacy this Labour Government inherited, and it is rising to the challenge of mending. Setting the country on the right track will take time. But that is time none of us have when First Past the Post (FPTP) threatens chaos for our politics and our democracy..."
🚨"Right now, Labour has the chance to lead this conversation and head off this issue. There is no time for complacency." Sean Woodcock MP & Jo Platt MP warn that FPTP is headed for chaos. ✍️ For @labourlist.bsky.social @seanlwoodcock.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/02/labo...
— Labour4PR 🌹🗳️ (@labour4pr.bsky.social) 12 February 2026 at 14:54
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"Electoral Reform is the Key to Social Democratic Renewal"
By Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP
"We are reaching a tipping point. Around the world, democracy is under assault from a combination of disinformation on social media, an emboldened far-right, and economic inequalities fuelling dissatisfaction with the status quo. Outdated institutions are dying hard and fast, and Westminster’s voting system is one of them...."
🏚️ "We are reaching a tipping point... Outdated institutions are dying hard and fast, and Westminster’s voting system is one of them." - Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP @jenny4suffcoast.bsky.social warns First Past The Post is headed for chaos #Labour4PR🌹 www.progressonline.org.uk/electoral-re...
— Labour4PR 🌹🗳️ (@labour4pr.bsky.social) 12 February 2026 at 15:56
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