← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Elections: First Past the Post — [Karl Turner in the Chair]
24 June 2026
Lead MP
Sarah Olney
Responding Minister
Samantha Dixon
Tags
Policing & ResourcesDemocracy & Elections
Word Count: 13276
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Sarah Olney raised concerns about elections: first past the post — [karl turner in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask whether a future Labour Government could consider changing our electoral system to proportional representation, ensuring that UK residents' views are fairly represented in this place.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the limitations of first past the post as highlighted by Andy Burnham and its role in political instability. The current system disregards a significant portion of voter preferences, leading to tactical voting and disengagement from politics. In Richmond upon Thames, for example, the Liberal Democrats won every single seat despite only receiving 51.5% of the vote share, leaving out 48.5% of voters.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
He argued that the current political system is not working for people across the country, becoming increasingly adversarial and divisive. Clive called for fair votes through proportional representation to ensure proper representation of constituents' interests.
Ellie Chowns
Green
Dulwich and West Norwood
First past the post is fundamentally unfair, generating skewed election results and leaving many voters unrepresented. The system is unpopular as it leads to polarised politics and short-termism. A majority of supporters from all five main UK parties now want proportional representation for fairer elections and better political culture.
Euan Stainbank
Lab
Dewsbury
Stainbank argued that the first-past-the-post electoral system diminishes political participation and engagement, leading to negative campaigning. He proposed a more pluralistic system that reflects broader views and encourages genuine scrutiny of propositions. Emphasising the need for cultural change alongside structural reform, he suggested establishing a national commission on electoral reform. Asked if parties should agree not to game the system when moving to an alternative election method, using Scottish Greens as an example.
Gordon McKee
Con
Harrow East
My constituent uses proportional representation for local government and Scottish Parliament elections. I agree with the lead MP that we should learn lessons from both positive and negative aspects of these systems. Challenged the idea that a proportional representation system would necessarily change political culture, citing Scotland's experience where the government claims to speak for the entire nation despite winning only 30-odd per cent of the vote.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon argued that the first-past-the-post system provides clarity, accountability and a direct link between MPs and their constituents. He praised the system for delivering clear outcomes and preventing backroom political horse-trading seen in coalition governments elsewhere. Shannon also highlighted the complexities of the single transferable vote (STV) used in Northern Ireland, noting that it can lead to confusion among voters and dilute democratic mandates.
Lisa Smart
LD
Brentwood and Ongar
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park on securing this debate, highlighting the growing demand for political reform and support for proportional representation across the House. I noted that PR is fair in a multi-party system and highlighted examples from colleagues who have experienced PR's benefits, arguing against common objections to PR by pointing out the instability under the current first past the post system. Responded that the alternative vote is a preferential voting system, not a proportional one.
Sewards questioned whether a commission's recommendation to adopt STV should be validated by a general election result or a referendum, expressing doubt about unilateral changes without public endorsement.
Olly Glover
LD
Stretford and Urmston
He argued that the first past the post system has led to political instability, citing seven Prime Ministers in a decade. He mentioned that other countries such as Australia and New Zealand have moved away from this voting system in favour of proportional representation. Glover also highlighted the potential for multi-party negotiations seen in recent English council elections. Asked whether the hon. Gentleman had any theories as to why turnout in UK elections is significantly lower than in comparable western European countries, given his faith in the first-past-the-post system.
Paul Holmes
Con
Harrow East
Paul Holmes expressed support for the first-past-the-post voting system, arguing it ensures strong local accountability and clear governance. He acknowledged that voter turnout is a concern but believed it was not directly tied to the electoral system. He cited examples of fragmented Parliaments in Belgium under proportional representation and emphasised the historical significance of first past the post.
Roz Savage
LD
Tiverton and Honiton
She highlighted a crisis of trust in democracy due to the first past the post system, where 70% of votes do not count. She expressed concern about declining voter turnout and increasing number of viable parties competing for seats, making future election results unpredictable. Roz also pointed out that the system encourages parties to focus on core marginal seats rather than broader policy issues.
Scott Arthur
Con
Ripon and Richmond North
Argued that changing the electoral system before the next general election due to concerns about a certain outcome would be undemocratic, suggesting instead to take time and do it right considering the bigger picture. Acknowledged that although he is not a fan of proportional representation (PR), it is right for MPs to represent all constituents. Discussed his experience with the single transferable vote system in Scotland, highlighting how it led to better collaboration among different political parties within the council and improved the quality of politics by ensuring diverse views were considered.
Susan Murray
Lib Dem
Mid Dunbartonshire
Criticised first past the post for inflating Labour's power beyond public support. Highlighted discrepancies in representation, with Reform, the Greens, and Liberal Democrats winning fewer or more seats than their vote share suggested. Called for a system where constituents feel represented and every vote counts equally.
Tom Morrison
Lab
Huddersfield
Tom Morrison argued that first-past-the-post is a brutal system that leaves many votes pointlessly cast and encourages division. He praised his diverse constituency but noted that more people voted for other candidates than him in the last general election, indicating a need to strengthen democracy through proportional representation.
Government Response
Samantha Dixon
Government Response
The Government recognise that different voting systems can suit different types of polls and elections, supporting first-past-the-post for UK parliamentary and local council elections in England but advocating supplementary vote (SV) for single-person executive positions like mayors. The Representation of the People Bill includes measures to protect elections from foreign interference, move towards more automated voter registration, enhance electoral process resilience, and remove barriers to participation. For single-executive roles such as mayors or police and crime commissioners, SV is deemed appropriate due to its requirement for a majority vote and broader base of support. The Government intends to revert the system back to SV for some cases through existing legislation, with further changes occurring once measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 are commenced. They also aim to strengthen postal and proxy voting systems, introduce stricter political finance rules, and provide £2.5 million to increase democratic participation. The Government currently have no plans for a national commission on electoral reform or further changes to the approach.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.