April 26, 2023

USDAW vote to back proportional representation

Phil Crooks USDAW motion LCER
Credit: Phil Crooks , L4ND

This week, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) joined the growing list of trade unions that back proportional representation. USDAW voted in favour of a motion committing it to support a change in the electoral system at its 76th Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) on the 25th April. The motion was moved by Phil Crooks from the Home …

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April 18, 2023

Proportional representation can help save the planet

Wind turbine factory
Credit: Green Energy Futures, Flickr

Last month saw the publication of the latest IPCC report. The message coming from scientists is clear: We need to dramatically reduce carbon emissions to prevent climate breakdown, and action needs to be taken now. We know that the Tories can’t be trusted to do what’s needed. During their thirteen years in government, they have failed to meaningfully advance climate objectives. …

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March 3, 2023

Why Trade Unionists Should Support Proportional Representation

Trade Union Banner March through Norwich
Credit: Roger Blackwell, Flickr

Trade unions are essential for advancing social and economic justice and defending the rights of workers. However, the voices and experiences of trade union members are not adequately represented by the current Westminster system. The prevalence of “safe seats” in Parliament means that MPs may retain their seats for decades, which discourages public participation and reduces the diversity of candidates …

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January 30, 2023

As ministers continue their attack on working people our broken system means MPs can continue to play by their own rules

Picture of union members marching
Credit: A Festival of Left Ideas,

The government’s Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is “a full-frontal attack on working people and the trade unions they organise within.” say Unison in an article ‘Three things you need to know about the anti-strike bill.’ Since 1980, there have been no less than fourteen employment and trade union acts, restricting and then to a degree, clawing back trade union …

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October 6, 2022

Labour Conference backs scrapping first past the post

Labour Conference 2022 stage
Credit: PFTM,

We did it! This week Labour conference voted to back a motion calling on the Party to scrap Westminster’s failing First Past the Post system and to introduce a fair, proportional voting system instead. Support was overwhelming not just amongst Labour members but, thanks to the work of hundreds of activists across the country, with the support of the Trade …

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August 10, 2022

First Past the Post favours the Tories and works against Labour – That’s why it’s the Tories’ favourite voting system

Polling Station Sign, ERS
Credit: PFTM,

Whether it’s lies over Partygate or handing out covid contracts to supporters and allies or Boris Johnson’s plans to stuff the Lords with new peers in his final weeks in office, this government are never embarrassed by their own failure to understand the foundations of a good democracy.  Trust, transparency, fairness and accountability – this is what people look for …

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