VOTING SYSTEM FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS

Early day motion 591, tabled 25 October 2016 by Chuka Umunna (Labour). Signed by 70 members.

That this House welcomes the various collaborative campaigns to make votes matter by introducing a fair voting system; notes that petitions started since the 2015 general election calling for a fair voting system have gained over 500,000 signatures, and that recent polling suggests a significant majority of the public support moving to a more proportional system of electing hon. Members; further notes that the alternative vote system is not proportional and that the 2011 referendum gave no verdict on proportional representation; agrees that the current system of electing hon. Members is no longer fit for purpose; believes that the UK's voting system should ensure that those who are entitled to vote have a vote that counts, and counts equally, no matter who they vote for or where they live; further believes that the share of seats a party gets should closely reflect the share of votes that people give them; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to introduce a system of proportional representation for elections to the House.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 39, Labour 12, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Green 1.