The results of the 2024 election are just the latest indicator of our broken electoral system, with a troubling mismatch between votes and seats, and a staggering 57.8% voters left unrepresented.
If the UK had proportional representation (PR) instead of using first past the post (FPTP), we’d likely have a different picture: our parliament would more closely represent the public, and every vote would have made a difference.
But which of the UK’s political parties are in favour of a transition to PR, and which prefer the status quo?
Labour
Back in 2022, Labour party members expressed resounding support for PR at the Labour Party Conference, with a vote calling for the next Labour government to commit to delivering electoral reform.
But with Labour winning an election this year for the first time since 2005, there is now some division over support for PR, with leadership seemingly hesitant to back electoral reform at this point in time.
After so many failed election bids, it is perhaps not surprising that Labour is on the fence about electoral reform now that FPTP has finally delivered a victory. But with PR promising to balance out an electoral system that’s now defined in part by its disproportionality as well as unstable and erratic results, from a purely strategic standpoint Labour shouldn’t rest on their laurels and grow complacent about Electoral Reform.
If Labour wants to do right by the British public and ensure that future elections give voters a more impactful voice, they should be staunch proponents of electoral reform.
Conservatives
The Conservatives are not in favour of proportional representation. In their 2024 manifesto, they reiterated their commitment to using First Past the Post for general elections.
More generally, their support for the electoral status quo is illustrated by their stance during the 2011 Alternative Vote referendum, when they called for the UK to keep First Past the Post, opposing the proposed change to AV. More recently, their commitment to FPTP was emphasised through the choice to change the electoral system used for Mayors from Supplementary Vote (SV) to FPTP.
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats support proportional representation, having long campaigned for electoral reform in the UK. The party has typically suffered a disadvantage under FPTP, due to their votes being numerous but spread out across the country.
In their 2024 manifesto, the Lib Dems endorsed the Single Transferable Vote (STV) – the ERS’ preferred voting system – as a replacement for FPTP.
Green Party
The Green Party also support proportional representation, calling for ‘a fair and proportional voting system’.
With the party repeatedly receiving disproportionately few seats relative to votes thanks to FPTP, this comes as no surprise: in 2024, they secured approximately 6.7% of the vote, but just 0.6% of seats.
Reform UK
Reform UK support electoral reform, favouring a switch to a proportional voting system; in their 2024 manifesto, they called for a referendum on PR.
As with other smaller parties in the UK, FPTP meant that the seats they secured did not align with their vote share in the 2024 general election.
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru support proportional representation, advocating for a switch to the Single Transferable Vote.
In their 2024 manifesto, the party expressed their commitment to ‘push for [PR] in Wales after the Senedd 2026 election’.
SNP
SNP are also supporters of proportional representation. Back in 2015, then-leader Nicola Sturgeon pledged that the SNP would vote to introduce PR.
Since then, under the leadership of John Swinney, SNP continues to back a proportional system, calling for a switch to the Single Transferable Vote in their 2024 manifesto.
Every party should support a fairer system
It’s not surprising to see that parties which have historically lost out on seats as a result of First Past the Post are in favour of proportional representation – while the reverse tends to ring true for parties which have performed disproportionately well under the current system.
In the world of politics, opportunism and self-preservation is often the name of the game – but this comes at the expense of the electorate. A party’s stance toward electoral reform should not hinge solely on what they might stand to lose or gain if PR is introduced. Instead, it should rest on the simple fact that under PR, the UK’s elections would finally be fair; seats would match votes, and parliament would represent the voice of the public.
Do you think it’s time that Britain had a fairer voting system? Add your name to our call