Parties respond to ERS call to make electoral reform a priority after the election

Author:
Jon Narcross, former Communications Officer

Posted on the 11th December 2019

Earlier this week, the ERS wrote to all the main parties in Britain, calling for them to make proportional representation a number one priority in any cross-party talks or in government.

The ERS has received responses from the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats, posted below:

Liberal Democrats

“The Liberal Democrats will remain committed to proportional representation [STV] and wider political reform, whatever the result of this election.” – leader Jo Swinson.

Letter in full: https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Letter-from-Jo-Swinsons-Office-10-December.pdf

Green Party of England and Wales

 Dear Darren,

This is a critical issue for the Greens and we are happy to commit to making it a priority.

The Green Party manifesto commits Green MPs to introducing a Voting Reform Bill to replace the First Past the Post system for all levels of government with a fair and proportional voting system.

Our current voting system does not reflect the views of the people. People need to know and believe that their vote matters.

Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry

Plaid Cymru

Dear Darren,

There is a fundamental dysfunction at the heart of our democracy. It was there all along but the Brexit crisis has brought it to the fore. The British electoral system is broken and is in desperate need of reform.

That is why Plaid Cymru firmly believes that the antiquated first-past-the-post system should be abandoned in favour of STV, and our manifesto has confirmed our commitment to introducing proportional representation.

We also support reforming the House of Lords as a directly elected and properly representative upper chamber, and are committed to leading efforts to extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds, as well as EU citizens and all those with permanent residency.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price AM.

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