Andy Burnham could change voting system without manifesto commitment, Make Votes Matter says

Andy Burnham could scrap the UK’s first-past-the-post voting system without a referendum or a manifesto commitment, Make Votes Matter has said.

Speaking to Left Foot Forward, the chief executive of Makes Vote Matter, Emma Harrison, praised Burnham for being “a champion of proportional representation”, but said changing the voting system doesn’t require a vote, either via a general election or a referendum.

If Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, he is expected to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership, and if successful in that contest, would become prime minister.

During his by-election campaign, Burnham has restated his support for changing the voting system to proportional representation, but said in a recent interview with the Observer that he would seek a “popular mandate” to enact voting reform at a general election.

This means that the next general election, which must take place by no later than August 2029, would take place under first-past-the-post. 

Harrison said: “Where we do separate on this is we do firmly believe that this is not something that requires a referendum.”

The Make Votes Matter CEO added: “We bring in really big changes in this country without a manifesto commitment or referendum.”

Harrison said she understands there is “a question of public legitimacy” but that this is why Votes Not Matter supports a national commission on electoral reform, an independent review which would seek evidence from experts and the views of voters.

She also pointed to the British Social Attitudes Survey from late 2024, which revealed that 60% of the public supports changing the voting system. 

Harrison also warned “If we can’t get PR before the next general election, a party will win on 30% of the vote and get 100% of the power.”

Asked if she feels it is “disappointing” that Burnham won’t commit to introducing PR before the next election, Harrison insisted: “I don’t feel that at all”, adding “I don’t think he’s shied away from the need for a better voting system”.

She argued that as he is standing for a by-election, he has to focus on what the local community needs. 

Harrison said that any political party that supports voting reform should put it in their manifesto, and noted that Tony Blair and Keir Starmer have previously committed to electoral reform, before they won landslides in general elections.

“We would be delighted if Labour did what it has said it is passionate about over the years, and that’s listening to the people,” she said.

She added that putting PR in a manifesto “is great, but the urgency is greater than that, and I think the public would agree.”

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward