Chaos theory
Yesterday's elections have brought some bruising results - not just for Labour, but for the whole of Britain's two-party system.
More important than any one election result are two things: the consequences of huge volatility under First Past the Post; and the incredibly worrying surge in support for the far right.
Volatility under First Past the Post means random & unrepresentative results
When multi-party politics collides with a system designed for two parties, we end up with random, unrepresentative outcomes in which winners are elected on a tiny minority of the vote.
The 2024 general election saw the most disproportionate and unfair result in British history - and a majority of seats won on just a third of the vote.
The West of England mayoral contest was won with just 25% of the vote - met with disbelief by a BBC presenter - with countless local results won with nowhere near enough support to claim a real democratic mandate.
Yesterday's elections further show the shape of things to come, if Britain’s broken First Past the Post system is not addressed.
"You won the West of England Mayor's race, but the winner gets 25%... does that feel to you like democracy?"
— LCER (@Labour4PR) May 2, 2025
"Do you think we've got to look again at the voting system?"
"Less than 10% of the total electorate voted for the candidate who won - which feels crazy"@BBCr4today pic.twitter.com/Ynn68WoSpt
First Past the Post is a friend to Nigel Farage
Reform's wins - from Runcorn & Helsby, to Greater Lincolnshire, to Hull & East Yorkshire and local councils across England - are all yet further proof that First Past the Post is no defence against extreme politics.
It's no wonder Nigel Farage recently claimed that the current system is becoming his "friend".
If the projected national vote shares seen yesterday were repeated at the next general election - and First Past the Post is still in place - Reform UK could win a majority on as little as 30% of the vote.
Labour needs to wake up and seriously consider what such an unrepresentative result would do to Britain - and our Prime Minister must decide whether he really wants to risk Prime Minister Farage being his legacy.
⏰ Labour needs to wake up
— LCER (@Labour4PR) May 2, 2025
🚨 If anything like these vote shares happened in a general election, the far right would win a landslide majority thanks to our broken voting system
🎰 First Past the Post is a gamble with Britain's future
🌹 #Labour4PR pic.twitter.com/UNDp96Qivc
The government must act
Trust in politics is at an all time low - and it can't be restored while our elections leave millions without a fair say.
If the government wants to avoid chaos at future local and general elections it must address this broken system, starting with a National Commission for Electoral Reform.
First Past the Post is a gamble with our country's future.
We are living in an age of volatility. If we don't strengthen our democracy while we have the chance, British politics is heading in a chaotic and dangerous direction.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
🌹 Labour's official policy recognises that First Past the Post is "flawed" and driving "distrust & alienation" in politics
— LCER (@Labour4PR) May 2, 2025
⚠️ Now, multi-party politics is colliding with a 2-party system - and inaction is becoming untenable
🎯 We need a National Commission for Electoral Reform pic.twitter.com/mQr3ev0IcA
