First Past the Post-mortem: Why the UK Needs Electoral Reform Now

Is the UK’s voting system as outdated as a fax machine in the age of smartphones? Why First Past the Post is failing us and discover how proportional representation could revolutionise British democracy.

Let’s face it, folks — the UK’s electoral system is about as fair and representative as a rigged game of Monopoly where one player starts with Mayfair and Park Lane. Our beloved First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system has been delivering skewed results and disproportionate outcomes for longer than the Queen sat on the throne. It’s high time we gave this antiquated system the boot and embraced a more equitable way of electing our leaders.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — “But isn’t FPTP as British as tea and crumpets?” Sure, it’s been around for ages, but so was smallpox until we decided to do something about it. Just because something’s old doesn’t mean it’s good. I mean, have you tasted Marmite lately?

Let’s break down why FPTP is about as useful as a chocolate teapot when it comes to fair representation:

Winner Takes All (Even If They Barely Won)

Imagine you’re at a pub with your mates, trying to decide what to watch on the telly. There are five of you, and the options are:

• The Great British Bake Off: 2 votes
• Match of the Day: 1 vote
• Love Island: 1 vote
• Strictly Come Dancing: 1 vote

Under FPTP rules, you’d all be stuck watching Paul Hollywood critique soggy bottoms even though 3 out of 5 of you wanted something else. That’s essentially how FPTP works — the candidate with the most votes wins, even if the majority of voters preferred someone else.

This “winner takes all” approach leads to some seriously wonky results. In the 2015 UK general election, for instance, UKIP received 12.6% of the vote but only one measly seat in Parliament. Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party got 56 seats with just 4.7% of the vote. It’s like playing darts blindfolded after a few pints — you might hit the board, but it’s not exactly accurate.

Tactical Voting: The Political Equivalent of Playing 4D Chess

FPTP forces voters into a maddening game of “tactical voting” — choosing the least worst option that has a chance of winning rather than the candidate they actually prefer. It’s like being forced to eat at McDonald’s because your favourite local curry house doesn’t have enough customers to stay open.

This leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy where smaller parties struggle to gain traction because people don’t want to “waste” their vote. It’s a vicious cycle that stifles political diversity and leaves many voters feeling unrepresented and disillusioned.

Safe Seats: Where Democracy Goes to Die

Thanks to FPTP, we have the joy of “safe seats” — constituencies where one party is so dominant that they could run a potted plant as their candidate and still win. These electoral fortresses mean that millions of voters effectively have no say in who represents them.

Imagine living in a “safe” Conservative seat when you’re a die-hard Labour supporter. Your vote matters about as much as a snowball in the Sahara. It’s no wonder voter turnout in these areas often resembles a ghost town on a quiet day.

Disproportionate Results: When Math Goes Out the Window

FPTP has a nasty habit of producing parliaments that bear little resemblance to how people actually voted. In the 2019 UK general election, the Conservatives won 56% of the seats with just 43.6% of the vote. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems got 11.5% of the vote but only 1.7% of the seats. It’s like ordering a pint and getting a thimbleful — you’re left feeling short-changed and slightly confused.

This disproportionality isn’t just unfair — it’s downright dangerous for democracy. When governments can wield absolute power with minority support, it’s a recipe for policies that don’t reflect the will of the people. And we’ve all seen how well that’s been working out lately, haven’t we?

So, what’s the solution? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to explore the exciting world of electoral reform!

The Case for Proportional Representation

If FPTP is the electoral equivalent of a flip phone, then Proportional Representation (PR) is the latest iPhone — sleek, efficient, and actually fit for purpose in the 21st century.

PR systems aim to ensure that the number of seats a party wins closely matches the proportion of votes they receive. It’s a radical concept, I know — the idea that if 30% of people vote for a party, they should get roughly 30% of the seats. Mind-blowing stuff.

There are several flavours of PR, but for the UK, I reckon the best fit would be a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, similar to what they use in Scotland, Wales, and Germany. Here’s how it would work:

1. You get two votes: one for your local MP (just like now) and one for a party.
2. Some MPs are elected using FPTP in local constituencies (maintaining that local link everyone bangs on about).
3. Additional MPs are elected from party lists to make the overall result proportional.

It’s like having your cake and eating it too — you keep your local representative, but the final result actually reflects how people voted. Revolutionary, right?

Now, I can already hear the naysayers warming up their objections, so let’s address them head-on:

“But PR leads to unstable coalitions!”

Ah yes, because our current system has been a bastion of stability lately, hasn’t it? Gestures vaguely at the revolving door of 10 Downing Street

The truth is, countries with PR tend to have more stable governments than the UK. Germany, for instance, has had fewer elections and longer-lasting governments than us, despite using PR. Coalitions force parties to work together and find common ground — you know, like actual adults in a functioning democracy.

“PR gives too much power to small parties!”

As opposed to our current system, where small parties like the DUP can hold the entire government to ransom? Oh wait…In reality, PR simply gives parties the influence they’ve earned through votes. If a small party has enough support to cross the threshold (usually around 5%), then yes, they get a say. That’s called democracy, folks.

“But FPTP produces strong, decisive governments!”

Strong like a bull in a china shop, maybe. When governments can push through radical policies with minority support, that’s not strength — it’s a democratic deficit.

PR encourages consensus-building and policies that have broader support. It’s the difference between a government imposing its will on the people and a government actually representing the people. Novel concept, I know.

“PR is too complicated for voters!”

I hate to break it to you, but if you can figure out how to use TikTok, you can handle putting two crosses on a ballot paper. Give the British public some credit — we’re not as thick as some politicians seem to think we are.

The Benefits of MMP for the UK

Adopting a Mixed Member Proportional system would bring a host of benefits to our beleaguered democracy:

1. Fairer representation: No more elections where a party can win a landslide majority with less than 50% of the vote. Every vote would count, no matter where you live.
2. Increased voter engagement: When people know their vote matters, they’re more likely to turn out. It’s basic psychology — we like to feel our actions have an impact.
3. More diverse parliaments: PR tends to result in more women and minority representatives being elected. Our Parliament could finally start to look like the country it represents, rather than an old boys’ club with a few token additions.
4. Better policies: When parties have to work together, it leads to more scrutiny of policies and better outcomes. No more half-baked ideas rushed through without proper examination.
5. Reduced regional divisions: PR would ensure that all parts of the country have a voice, potentially easing tensions between regions and nations within the UK.
6. A more responsive democracy: With PR, voting patterns can shift more fluidly, allowing the political landscape to better reflect changing public opinion.

Implementing MMP in the UK

Now, I’m not suggesting we can wave a magic wand and transform our electoral system overnight. Changing something as fundamental as how we elect our leaders is going to take time, effort, and a whole lot of political will.

Here’s a roadmap for how we could make it happen:

1. Public education: We need a massive campaign to educate voters about PR and its benefits. Think less dry lectures, more viral TikTok explainers and celebrity endorsements. Get Stormzy to rap about electoral reform — that’ll get the youth engaged.
2. Pilot programs: Start with local elections. Let people experience PR in action and see the benefits firsthand.
3. Constitutional convention: Bring together experts, politicians, and citizens to hammer out the details of a new electoral system. Make it a big event — like Glastonbury for political nerds.
4. Referendum: Once we have a solid proposal, put it to the people. And this time, let’s have a proper, informed debate without buses plastered with dodgy statistics.
5. Gradual implementation: If approved, phase in the new system over a couple of election cycles to allow for adjustment.

The Road Ahead

Look, I get it. Changing our electoral system might not seem like the most pressing issue when we’re facing a cost of living crisis, an NHS on its knees, and a climate emergency. But here’s the thing — a fairer voting system is the key to tackling all of those problems more effectively.

When governments truly represent the will of the people, they’re more likely to implement policies that benefit the many, not just the few. Imagine a Parliament where every voice is heard, where compromise isn’t a dirty word, and where the needs of the entire country are considered, not just those of a few swing constituencies.

It’s time to drag our democracy into the 21st century. We deserve a voting system that reflects the diverse, complex, wonderful mess that is modern Britain. No more tactical voting, no more safe seats, no more governments wielding absolute power on a minority of votes.

So, what can you do? Glad you asked:

1. Educate yourself: Learn more about PR and its benefits. Websites like Make Votes Matter are a great place to start.
2. Spread the word: Talk to your friends and family about electoral reform. Be that annoying person at parties who won’t shut up about voting systems (trust me, it’s a hit).
3. Contact your MP: Let them know you support a move to PR. If enough of us make noise, they’ll have to listen.
4. Join a campaign: Organisations like the Electoral Reform Society are always looking for volunteers.
5. Use your vote: Support parties and candidates who back electoral reform.

Remember, change doesn’t happen by itself. It takes people like you and me standing up and demanding better. So let’s make some noise, shake things up, and build a democracy that truly works for everyone.

After all, if we can put up with Piers Morgan on our screens for this long, surely we can handle a little thing like electoral reform?

Bob Lynn / 08-Sep-2024