MPs vote in favour of Proportional Representation

Last week, MPs supported LD MP Sarah Olney's bill to introduce a proportional representation electoral system. In her 10-minute rule bill, known after the amount of time she had to make her case, she laid out the pressing reasons why the existing system needs change.

Despite Labour's huge parliamentary majority and some senior Labour figures against change, Sarah's bill gained cross-party support and passed by 137 to 135, the first time (in the modern era at least) that Westminster has supported proportional representation.

Unfortunately, Sarah's bill will go no further as the government will not allocate it any parliamentary time. Nonetheless, it should be considered another small and encouraging step forward, especially if one considers that in a similar procedure in 2016 a PR bill was defeated with far fewer MPs even bothering to turn out to vote.

Clear to anyone, Sarah Olney, now also LDER's new President, has a keen interest in electoral reform. One of the benefits of being a member of LDER is that you would have already known this – as well as about her 10-minute rule bill – because she talked about it at the recent LDER AGM.

If you are not a member, why not join today?