Over 80 Labour MPs sign electoral reform amendment

The demands for electoral reform are growing, with more than 80 Labour MPs, 20 per cent of the Parliamentary Labour Party, now signing an amendment calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform, the largest ever call for voting system change by Labour backbenchers.

Over 140 MPs from across Parliament have so far signed Alex Sobel MP’s amendment in total, up from 64 when it was initially tabled last month. Labour signatories in recent weeks include former Ed Miliband aide Polly Billington MP, leading Tribune MP Justin Madders, and former health minister and close Wes Streeting ally Zubir Ahmed MP.

With Andy Burnham in pole position to succeed Keir Starmer and become Prime Minister, he has reiterated his support for Proportional Representation in recent weeks, having already committed in 2025 during a Labour conference fringe, where he said: “I’m here to endorse the Labour for a New Democracy call for a National Commission to be set up in this parliament – and a manifesto commitment to a system of Proportional Representation to be introduced into Westminster elections in the next Parliament.”

With widespread support among Labour backbenchers, the membership and unions for proportional representation, MPs are hopeful that if he becomes Labour leader, he will lead on the issue. There are expectations that Burnham will make an announcement on plans for a National Commission on Electoral Reform.

Alex Sobel said: “A multi-party electorate is now embedded in British politics – it’s past time Westminster caught up. Labour simply cannot afford to be wrong-footed on this and we do not have time to waste: a renewed Labour government must launch a National Commission on Electoral Reform as a matter of urgency.”

Zubir Ahmed said: “For most people, Westminster feels remote and dysfunctional. First Past the Post is increasingly making Parliament look less and less like what people actually voted for. To restore public trust in politics, we need to ensure voters are fairly represented. Proportional Representation is a key part of that – any future Labour leader should establish a National Commission as a matter of urgency.”

Labour MPs have rowed in behind the amendment on social media and through speeches Parliament including recently: Nadia Whittome, Anna Dixon, Andrew Ranger, Simon Opher, Lizzi Collinge, Clive Lewis, Scott Arthur.

In 2022, Labour’s members voted overwhelmingly at the party’s annual conference to endorse PR for general elections. Four of Labour’s “big five” affiliated trade unions have formal policy in favour of electoral reform (USDAW, CWU, Unison, Unite).

It comes amid majority public support (53%) for Proportional Representation, up from 27% in 2011. This includes a plurality of voters for all major parties, including Reform UK and the Conservatives.