Campaigners for electoral reform say the outcome of the 2024 UK general election has renewed pressure for proportional representation, after Labour secured a 174-seat majority with just 34% of the popular vote. The Electoral Reform Society described the result as 'the most disproportional on record'.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, whose party won 14.3% of the vote but only five seats, called the first-past-the-post system 'unfair'. The Green party received 6.8% of the vote for four seats. Under the additional member system used in Scotland and Wales, Reform would have won 94 seats and the Greens 42, according to the Electoral Reform Society.
The Liberal Democrats, who won a record 72 seats despite a similar vote share to 2019, acknowledged they had to 'play the board' under the current system. Make Votes Matter analysis found that 58% of voters did not choose their MP.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has previously expressed a 'longstanding view against proportional representation', but internal party support for reform is growing. Professor Martin Smith of the University of York said self-interest may drive change as party system fragmentation increases disproportionality.
