The biggest news in the world of people campaigning for electoral reform is that we now have a new prime minister who believes in proportional representation (PR).
Darren Hughes, Chief Executive at the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) examines what our new PM has said in the past and what he might do to ‘rewire Britain.’ In Andy Burnham we have the first prime minister who openly backs proportional representation.
One route for change is an independent commission on electoral reform. In her article What does an independent commission on electoral reform need to succeed? Dr Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research at the ERS questions whether this is still needed or could Andy Burmham opt for a manifesto pledge instead?
You can take action – here’s how
Meanwhile, although Parliament is in recess, Dame Joan Ruddock has been busy. She’s created a parliamentary petition calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform, but we need it to reach 100,000 signatures before the end of September. Can you help?
She’s also made a video you can watch and share on Youtube or Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Threads.
The Campaign In Parliament
Sarah Olney MP secured a parliamentary debate to consider the use of first-past-the-post in general and local elections. You can read or watch the full debate using the links below – it lasts about 90 minutes. Check and see if your MP took part.
If you want to learn more about voting systems, you can read the briefing report produced by the House of Commons Library team here: Voting systems in the UK (June 2026)