Andy Burnham is facing pressure from Labour MPs to back voting system reform, as 88 members of his party have signed an amendment calling for a national commission on electoral change. The amendment, tabled by Alex Sobel MP, has garnered 166 cross-party signatories, with Labour MPs making up the majority.
Amendment Details and Support
The amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, due for debate on Tuesday, July 14, would establish a commission to investigate electoral reform. Supporters note it has surpassed the 164 signatures achieved last year by Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier for a reasoned amendment on disability benefits. Sobel's amendment has drawn support from across Labour's factions, including former chair of the Labour Growth Group, Chris Curtis.
Burnham's Past Statements
Burnham has frequently expressed support for proportional representation, most recently in a Reddit Ask Me Anything session on Friday, where he suggested he would seek to persuade Labour to include voting reform in its next manifesto. However, with a fifth of Labour's Commons presence backing the amendment, MPs are urging him to act quickly.
Alex Sobel stated: "My amendment to establish a national commission on electoral reform is now the most-supported amendment this Parliament with 166 signatories from eight parties, half of whom are Labour. MPs still have five days left to sign and its clear with the change of Government coming that the Commission is not just a clear signal to break the status quo but hugely popular with both MPs and the public."
Open Goal for Burnham
Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, said: "Andy has consistently made the case for PR, starting with a national commission. I think he was half expecting to have a job on his hands persuading MPs to come with him on that – but it’s the PLP that’s now clamouring for the Government to get a grip on this issue. You don’t have to be Harry Kane to see what an open goal this is for him. He should launch a commission in his first 100 days, so he can focus on his other priorities and bringing growth and hope to Britain."
Party Conference and Manifesto
Labour's party conference voted in 2022 to support moving towards proportional representation. However, the 2024 manifesto focused on extending voting to 16 and 17-year-olds, which is the premise of the Bill under debate. Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, said: "The PLP has caught up and is leading the charge for voting reform. All parts of the Labour Party are onboard with electoral reform. We need a national commission to build consensus on the best system for modern Britain."
Andy Burnham’s team was contacted for comment.
