Report: Everything but the Commons
This new report sets out why Proportional Representation for the House of Commons is essential in order to deliver the objectives of Labour’s Constitutional Commission - of a more democratic, equal and united UK.
With the Brown Commission’s official report expected in to be published in “early autumn”, this new report from Labour for a New Democracy sets out why its three objectives established by the Labour Leader - to renew British democracy, address economic inequality and strengthen and defend the union - can only be achieved if PR for general elections is at their heart of Labour’s programme.
Looking at evidence from across the UK and globally, we reveal why devolution and an elected upper chamber cannot be expected to improve satisfaction with UK democracy or a more equal society as long as First Past the Post is retained for general elections. Plus, why its continuation threatens, in the words of Mark Drakeford, to prise the UK apart.
Read the report today, share it on social media, and read press coverage on Labour List and an oped by L4ND’s Joe Sousek and Caroline Osborne below.
Constitutional reforms “doomed to fail” without switch to PR, campaigners warn
By Elliot Chappell
“Campaigners have warned that plans for further devolution and an elected senate will not deliver Labour’s constitutional aims of a more democratic, equal and united UK without the adoption of proportional representation (PR) for general elections. Published this morning by Labour for a New Democracy, which is campaigning for the adoption of PR to become party policy at Labour’s annual conference this month, Everything but the Commons found that comparable countries with a “winner-takes-all electoral system” have seen a collapse in satisfaction with democracy…”
Constitutional reform will be incomplete without proportional representation
By Joe Sousek & Caroline Osborne
“Britain’s constitution isn’t working. Faith in our political system has collapsed to an all time low. We have one of the most unequal societies in the Western world – and our system of government appears to be driving the UK apart. Keir Starmer launched a constitutional commission in 2020, chaired by Gordon Brown, to explore how democratic reform could renew British democracy, address economic inequality and strengthen and defend the union. Its findings are expected in early autumn…”