Two readers have written to the Guardian responding to an analysis of how Britain would look under different proportional representation (PR) systems. The letters, published on 22 July, discuss the merits and design of PR for Westminster elections.
PR systems produce fairer parliaments
Michael Bursill of Reigate, Surrey, praised the article by Antonio Voce and Ashley Kirk, noting that whichever PR system is used, it produces a parliament that reflects how the nation voted far better than first past the post. He argued that the differences between PR systems are not as large as enthusiasts might expect, in terms of each party winning its fair proportion of seats and voters getting a fair say in who governs.
Bursill emphasised that the numerical details of proposed systems can be adjusted. The additional member system does not require increasing the parliament to over 1,000 MPs, single transferable vote (STV) constituencies could have four to seven MPs, and party list districts do not have to be as large as official English regions or all of Scotland. He concluded that a new Westminster election system needs both expert design and public legitimacy, and referenced a proposed National Commission on Electoral Reform by the all party parliamentary group for fair elections, if Andy Burnham follows through on his promises.
Arguments for the single transferable vote
Tom Beard of London critiqued first past the post, noting that voters may resist change but may not fully understand its absurd outcomes. He gave the example of Margaret Thatcher in 1983 and Theresa May in 2017, both securing 42.4% of the vote: Thatcher gained a landslide majority of 144 seats, while May ended up with a minority government reliant on the DUP.
Beard argued that while the additional member system is often seen as a British compromise, it introduces its own flaws. He advocated for STV as the only sensible choice, saying it forces politicians to compete for votes by providing a choice of several constituency MPs, eliminating safe seats and complacency. He said STV delivers a truly representative parliament where parties must work together in coalition.
