Liberal Democrats urge Labour councillors to back fair votes motion

York Liberal Democrats are urging Labour councillors to back their motion supporting Proportional Representation (PR) when it comes before Full Council later this week.

The motion calls on councillors to support for PR as an essential element of a modern and democratic United Kingdom and calls on the Government to establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform, warning that the current system is failing to reflect how people actually vote.

It comes as pressure grows within the Labour Party itself for electoral reform. Labour’s own conference voted to support PR in 2022, and dozens of Labour MPs have since backed moves towards a proportional system.

The 2024 General Election also highlighted the issue, with Labour winning a large majority of seats on just 34% of the vote, one of the most disproportionate results in UK history.

Councillor Paula Widdowson, York Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader said:

“People in York, like voters across the country, deserve a system where every vote counts equally. The current system is outdated and increasingly out of step with modern politics.

“Labour members, Labour voters and even Labour MPs are increasingly recognising that. Now Labour councillors in York have the chance to act on that principle locally.

“This motion is a clear opportunity for them to stand up for fair votes and we urge them to take it.”

Councillor Anne Hook, Mover of the Motion added:

“This shouldn’t be a party-political issue. It’s about whether our democracy works properly.

“There is already strong support for proportional representation within Labour’s own ranks, from party conference decisions to MPs backing reform in Parliament.

“If Labour councillors believe in those principles, they should vote for this motion and send a united message from York that the system needs to change.”

The Liberal Democrat motion also welcomes positive steps in the Government’s Representation of the People Bill (including votes for 16 and 17 year olds and automatic voter registration) but criticises the failure to include electoral reform.