Dear John,

In today’s Guardian, respected columnist Polly Toynbee made a compelling case for electoral reform in the UK, echoing many of the arguments that Open Britain has long championed.

Her piece is a clear indication that the push for Proportional Representation (PR) is gaining traction in mainstream political discourse and offers a clue to how Labour could respond to Open Britain’s petition calling on Starmer to prioritise PR.

You can read the full article here ([link removed]) but the key points are these:
* The current First Past the Post (FPTP) system forces voters to engage in tactical voting, which Toynbee calls a "democratic abomination”.
* In Thursday’s election, Labour is expected to win a disproportionate majority of seats compared to their vote share, highlighting the unfairness of FPTP.
* Public support for PR is growing, with 45% backing it compared to only 26% supporting the current system.
* Many Labour MPs and party members support PR, including a majority of unions.
* FPTP no longer provides the "stability" it once claimed to, as evidenced by recent political turmoil.
* PR could lead to more stable governance through coalition-building and consensus.

A Path Forward: Royal Commission on Electoral Reform

Importantly, Toynbee suggests a potential way forward that aligns with Open Britain's goals. She proposes that Labour should "Set up a royal commission backed by citizens' assemblies and enact a proportional system before the next election."

This idea of a Royal Commission offers a pragmatic approach for Labour to respond to the growing demand for electoral reform. It would allow for a thorough, non-partisan examination of the UK's voting system and provide recommendations based on expert analysis and public input.

But there’s also a more pressing reason act swiftly. Failure to respond immediately to the most distorted election result in history would turbocharge the grievance culture weaponised so effectively by Nigel Farage in recent years, undermining the stability of Starmer’s government and potentially paving the way for a far-right government in 2029. Starmer would be mad to take that risk.

Open Britain's "Tell Starmer to Prioritise PR" Petition

The suggestion of a Royal Commission dovetails nicely with Open Britain's petition calling on Labour to commit to PR within their first 100 days in office.

A Royal Commission could be an excellent first step in fulfilling this commitment, demonstrating Labour's seriousness about reform while allowing for a comprehensive review process.

How can I help?

If you agree that a Royal Commission on electoral reform is a good idea, now is the time to make your voice heard. Use the button below to email Labour and let them know you support this approach as a concrete step towards implementing Proportional Representation.
EMAIL KEIR STARMER ([link removed])

By speaking up together, we can show Labour that there is strong public support for meaningful electoral reform. Together, we can build a democracy that truly represents the will of the people.

All the very best,

Mark Kieran

CEO, Open Britain
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