Unlock Democracy welcomes the Government’s decision to legislate for a referendum on the voting system. Labour was elected in 1997 with a commitment to a referendum on voting reform. We are delighted that they plan to legislate to fulfil this promise.

Commenting Director of Unlock Democracy Peter Facey said

“The First Past the Post electoral system we currently use for elections to the House of Commons is broken. It allows governments to be elected with a large majority of seats when they received little more than a third of the votes cast. It also creates safe seats where MPs are unaccountable to voters. Under our current system 30% of the seats have not changed hands since 1945 and 50 % seats have not changed hands since 1970. The recent expenses scandal has demonstrated both how important accountability is and how we are failed by our electoral system.

“The Alternative Vote system which allows the voter to express a preference between different parties is an improvement but does not go far enough. It is a baby step in the face of the widening chasm between voter and politician. Unlock Democracy supports electoral systems which allow the voter to choose between candidates as well as the different parties.

“While we welcome the Government’s realisation that there have to be fundamental changes to our political we are disappointed that once again voters have been left out in the cold. The choices should not be restricted by the very politicians who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. The Government needs to trust the people and establish a Citizens Convention to decide which the electoral system should be put to the public in a referendum. Without this there is a real danger that opponents of electoral reform will be able to dismiss this referendum as a cynical attempt to gain political advantage.

“The Citizens’ Convention Bill, which already has cross-party support from 122 MPs, would give the public a central role in deciding how the system should be reformed. It is time Parliament took the enlightened step of recognising that it has become the problem itself.”

Notes

(1) Unlock Democracy is the UK’s leading campaign for democracy, rights and freedoms. It was formed in 2007 and is the successor organisation to Charter 88 and the New Politics Network.

(3) 29% of seats have not changes hands since 1945 and 49% have not changed hands since 1970 see http://www.libdemvoice.org/29-of-seats-have-not-changed-hands-since-1945-16029.html