Why a fair political system needs a fair voting system
Sarah Clarke, Unlock Democracy
On the 22nd August, supporters of proportional representation (PR) around the country took part in a Day of Action in support of fair votes in general elections.
Many Unlock Democracy supporters participated in the day, which was organised by our friends at Make Votes Matter.
Some members of Unlock Democracy’s Council reflect below on why we campaign for proportional representation:
Jessica Metheringham, Chair, Unlock Democracy Council:
“Our electoral system of winner-takes-all isn't a civilized contest.
Firstly, it encourages political parties to emphasise disagreements with each other, concentrating on capturing just enough votes to win each seat, rather than engaging in real debate or speaking to a wide range of people.
Secondly, it means that many, many people are in effect stripped of their voice, as the outcome where they live is a forgone conclusion. Together, this produces a viscous and angry disengagement with politics, where it feels as though the system is suppressing votes.
Fairer systems exist. Proportional representation isn't just a dream, but an achievable goal which is part of a better politics.”
Marcus Cain, Unlock Democracy Council member:
“The UK’s voting system, like many other elements of its democracy, is stuck well and truly in the past. The First Past the Post system currently used in Westminster and local council elections in England is profoundly undemocratic and the calls for it to be reformed and updated are growing louder and louder by the day. The system has an inherent right-wing bias and supports a two-party system which shuts out smaller parties and independent candidates thus forcing voters to ‘vote tactically’, often for the least-worst choice, and also results in safe constituencies where the vast majority of people’s votes don’t count and their views are ignored.
The British people are well and truly sick of their votes not counting and their real political views not being represented and this was reflected on Saturday as activists from every corner of the country turned out for a day of action organised by Make Votes Matter, the nationwide campaign for a shift to proportional representation in Westminster elections.
I was involved in organising the action in my resident Leeds where people from all different parties and political persuasions took pictures of themselves holding posters and banners featuring Make Votes Matter messaging which were shared all over social media alongside the hashtag #DemandDemocracy. It is heartening to see that so many people, in Leeds and all over the country, are so keen to make their voices heard and demand a fair voting system even during the very uncertain times we find ourselves in at the moment.
Leeds’ Westminster representatives don’t come close to representing the diversity of people and breadth of viewpoints in the city and people have had enough of being ignored. This could mark the beginning of the end for our ancient, undemocratic voting system.”
Vicky Seddon, Unlock Democracy Council member, and Sheffield for Democracy Coordinator:
“Surely it is obvious that for Parliament to truly represent voters, then if the party you voted for gets (say) 30% of the overall votes cast, then that party should have 30% of the seats in Parliament? Or at least 30% plus or minus a couple of percentage points?
Our current government has a stonking 80+ seats majority in the Commons, meaning it can put through the House almost anything it wants, knowing that even if there is a revolt by a significant number of its own supporters (say 30), it will still carry the day.
But the Conservative Party won only 44% of the votes overall, meaning that a significant majority of voters did not want a Conservative administration. But they got one anyway because of the way our “First Past the Post” (FPTP) system stacks up seats.
And this is not a one-off situation; it has happened consistently, with different parties coming to power in the same way.
It leaves many voters feeling disillusioned with our politics and our politicians, knowing their votes don’t count. Next time round, they will wonder whether to vote tactically, or not to vote at all.
The system’s disproportionality has been highlighted by the experience of small parties which, whilst they have significant votes across the country, end up with few or no seats in Parliament: the Green Party for example. Even the better-known Lib Dem Party is not proportionately represented.
We should be able to vote for the party we want, and to know that our vote counts.
So that was why we at Sheffield for Democracy joined the Make Votes Matter action day on 22 August, with this photo opportunity”
How could changing our electoral system open up politics and make the process of how we make decisions fairer?
Unlock Democracy campaigns for proportional representation and many other reforms that would deepen our democracy, and create a fairer and more inclusive politics. There are many reasons we campaign for PR, here are some:
Opening up the policy options: Under PR systems it is easier for parties to put forward policies that appeal to voters at large - not just those in swing seats.
Increasing representation: Nearly 100 years on from all men and some women being enfranchised our Parliament is still lacking in diversity on pretty much all fronts. PR systems have a much better track record of increasing the representation of women and minority groups.
Fostering a collective and collaborative spirit in politics: While first past the post (FPTP) creates false majorities and a winner-takes-all mentality, PR systems emphasise the collective nature of politics. They encourage the creation of majorities through negotiations, and compromises between political parties that represent different groups in society.
Looking to the long-term: One of the present challenges for UK politics is how we deal with issues like climate change, the aging population and intergenerational inequality. These require long term solutions, which will only be delivered through cross-party consensus. This is something that FPTP, with its emphasis on the winner taking all and the short termism that this promotes, simply doesn’t allow in our political system.
Electoral reform would provide the public with choice, help to end the monopolies some parties have in constituencies, and help to change our political culture - to create a new spirit of collaboration.
Electoral reform isn’t a panacea, but it has the promise of opening up the way we do politics. Scotland and Northern Ireland show us that it can be done, and the existence of tactical voting, safe seats, and abysmal diversity in Parliament show us that it must be done.