FIRST PAST THE POST AND FUTURE ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Early day motion 1490, tabled 21 June 2002 by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour). Signed by 86 members.

That this House notes the comments of the Right honourable Member for Greenwich and Woolwich, the Minister responsible for electoral law, that 'Any provisions on European Parliament elections laid down by the Council (including amendments to the 1976 Act) need to be ratified with an Act of Parliament in the UK'; further notes that the UK is, therefore, free to adopt any electoral system of its choosing for future elections to the European Parliament; believes that, by removing the vital link between each elected representative and their constituents and consequently encouraging voter apathy, proportional representation has not served the UK well; also notes with concern that proportional voting systems in other parts of Europe have allowed far-right parties to gain a foothold; and further believes that the UK's next elections to the European Parliament could, and should, be held under the First Past the Post electoral system.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Conservative 29, Labour/Co-operative 3.