Green Changing

If we are to reconnect people and politics, a new type of politics is needed – one in which major issues are seriously debated, in which all parts of society are represented and in which politicians are accountable to those who elected them. But we cannot get it with ‘old’ style elections and all their empty confrontation and silenced voices. It’s patently obvious we need to change the way we elect our MPs, but are politicians best placed to set the rules for their own game? Ken Ritchie looks at the case for proportional representation Never has the case for electoral reform been stronger. We face the most serious economic recession for decades, and yet we are being led through it by a Government that was supported by just 35% of the voters – only 21% of electors when turnout is taken into account. This surely is a time that requires strong government, but strong in the sense that it has a strong mandate from the electorate. In the coming months we need a new campaign to change these rules through a referendum on our voting system. Labour promised such a referendum in 1997 but, while it did much to reform our constitution, electoral reform for the Commons was a step too far for a government with a comfortable majority. In 2001 and 2005 Labour manifestos made the point that the right way to change the voting system would be through a referendum, but at no time has a referendum featured seriously on Labour’s agenda. Labour has now left it too late. Even if it wanted to change the voting system before the next general election, there is not enough time to complete the process. As a result, in 2010, if not earlier, we will face another election in which most votes don’t count, which will be decided in a small number of marginal constituencies, and which is likely to be ‘won’ by a party with far from a majority of the votes. But there is still one option open to Labour: a referendum on election day. It would not make the next election any better, but it would give us a chance to vote to make it the last election under our hopelessly dysfunctional system. Even in the safest of seats people would have an incentive to turn out to vote for change, and it would ensure that electoral reform is not an issue candidates can duck in the heat of the campaign. In 2001 and 2005, Labour’s excuse for not holding a referendum was that the Government was reviewing Britain’s experience of the new electoral systems used in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in London and European elections. The review was strung out for seven years, but the eventual report was quite a fair assessment. Proportional representation, it noted, changed the way governments are formed and the way executives and parliaments relate; PR gave smaller parties representation; and with PR (and in particular with STV), “voters have a greater degree of choice in elections and a greater chance of their vote counting in terms of who gets elected”. So, if our experience of electoral reform is generally good, why are we not getting a referendum? Here we come up against the old problem of major parties hoping, often against the odds, that they can seize power on a minority of the votes, and many politicians are happier with a system that gives them safe seats rather than one that might make them uncomfortably accountable. MPs might be mildly tolerant of electoral reform in devolved institutions, but it is another matter if it affects their own jobs. If we are to have a referendum on election day, we need to act fast in generating a powerful campaign to persuade the Government to go for it. Here are just some of the things we can do: • Let’s make sure every MP knows there is a demand for an referendum, and that support at the election may depend on how they respond to that demand. The more letters MPs receive the better (or emails, but always remember to add your address to demonstrate you are a constituent), and better still is a visit to an MP’s surgery. • Labour MPs need to be reminded that a referendum is something their party has promised, and we don’t want politicians who break their promises. • Letters in local papers can also add to the pressure on MPs, particularly if they result in others joining the campaign. • Let’s get our friends in on the action through the internet: Facebook and Youtube make it easy for us to contact hundreds of people – it worked for Obama and it can work for us. • Environmental organisations need to use their muscle. RSPB alone has more members that all of the parties combined. Of course there are constraints on what charities can do, but they can publicise the need for change (e.g. “Wouldn’t it be good if a referendum led to a government that had to pay more attention to us!”). • If you are a student, get your student union or youth organisation to add to the demand for a referendum – younger people don’t want tired, old politics – and make sure MPs know about it. If you want more ideas or material to support your arguments - or if have ideas that could help the campaign - contact referendum@electoral-reform.org.uk. We want to hear from you because we need your support. The campaign for a referendum is undoubtedly ambitious, but if won the prize could be the transformation of British politics.