Open to conversations on electoral reform
Labour could potentially overhaul the voting system if Sir Keir Starmer were to become Prime Minister, according to comments made by Shadow Commons Leader Lucy Powell. Speaking at a New Statesmen conference fringe meeting, she expressed her personal openness to exploring electoral reform. While Powell acknowledged that talk of electoral reform is a "distraction" at present, she emphasized that "conversations can come later".
Stitch-up fears as Tories warn of chaotic coalition governments
The remarks by Powell have raised concerns among the Conservative Party that Labour could abandon the first-past-the-post system in favour of a proportional representation system, which has the tendency to create unstable coalition governments. The Liberal Democrats have long advocated for this European-style voting method and it is likely to be a significant demand in any post-election negotiation if Sir Keir Starmer fails to secure a majority.
Conservative chairman warns of attempts to 'rig elections'
Conservative chairman Greg Hands raised alarms over Labour's potential plans, accusing them of playing "short term politics" for their own benefit instead of considering the best interests of the British people. Hands pointed out that the UK had previously held a referendum on electoral reform in 2011, which resulted in a decisive rejection of any changes to the voting system. While Labour's official stance remains unchanged, the party's acknowledgement of "flaws" in the current model suggests a potential shift in policy.
