APPG members make the case for Proportional Representation in Westminster Hall debate
Members of the APPG for Fair Elections took part in a Westminster Hall debate on First Past the Post on 24 June 2026.
Nine MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party spoke in favour of proportional representation. Others supported a National Commission on Electoral Reform or acknowledged the case for reviewing the current system.
Opening the debate, Sarah Olney MP argued that First Past the Post no longer reflects the way Britain votes. MPs raised concerns about tactical voting, wasted votes and large parliamentary majorities built on relatively small shares of the vote.
Euan Stainbank MP said that “replacing first past the post is an essential step”, while Ellie Chowns MP argued that “every vote should count equally”.
Several speakers focused on the effect of growing political fragmentation. Roz Savage MP warned that the next election could resemble “a random number generator”, while Lisa Smart MP rejected the claim that First Past the Post guarantees stable government, arguing that “instability is not a glitch”.
Tom Morrison MP said the system leaves voters “unrepresented, unheard and disillusioned”. Susan Murray MP argued that turning around a third of the vote into two thirds of the power did not reflect public choice, but distorted it.
Olly Glover MP linked electoral reform to the quality of government, arguing that a more representative system could support longer-term decision-making and more durable political agreement.
The debate also included support for a National Commission on Electoral Reform. Scott Arthur MP supported a commission and pointed to the operation of proportional systems in Scotland. Gordon McKee MP also said electoral reform could form part of a wider change in political culture.
Most substantive contributions to the debate supported proportional representation, with further MPs backing a formal review of the system.
The participation of APPG members reflected the Group’s continuing work to build cross-party support for fairer elections.