Deputy Leadership candidates on electoral reform

23 May 2007

Subjects:

Jon Bright (London, OK): With Gordon Brown securing the leadership of the Labour party unopposed, the deputy leadership campaign has become the only outlet for those who wished to see a proper contest over the direction of the Labour party. In these pages, Anthony Barnett called it a "treason of democracy" that none of the deputy leaders were asked about constitutional reform at their recent hustings. Not quite true. They were asked "is the time now right for electoral reform", and answered in the following ways, as can be seen from the full transcript provided by the Fabian Society:

Hilary Benn: Feels House of Lords reform is a chance to see if we want a new electoral system, but is opposed to proportional representation (PR) on the grounds that the link between MP and constituency would be lost, which he feels in vital for keeping politicians grounded.

Hazel Blears: Completely opposed to electoral reform. Also feels that the link between an MP and their constituency is vital in terms of keeping politicians grounded, and making them more accountable.

Jon Cruddas: Feels that the current voting system may serve to only give only a few thousand voters in key swing seats real power, as they become increasingly targeted by more sophisticated party machines - but did not come out in support of any specific solution.

Alan Johnson: A long time supporter of PR and the 1998 Jenkins Report, which recommended a form of alternate voting (AV), but believes the tide is "out" at the moment and reform is unlikely at the present time.

Peter Hain: Also opposes PR on the grounds that it loses the constituency link. Supports an AV system where voters choose their top three candidates, and any MP must have over 50% of the vote to win - something which only one third of MPs can claim at the moment.

Harriet Harman: Places importance on the simplicity of the current system - fears a PR system would be "very complicated", but prepared to see how it works elsewhere.

OurKingdom will report on the six candidates views on wider issues of constitutional reform.

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Comments

Brian Walker (not verified)

12 June 2007 - 9:54am

Clinging to first past the post and other non-PR electoral systems on the grounds that they and they alone preserve the constituency link is spurious and provincial, like "clinging to nurse for fear of something worse". A cursory study of the working of single transferable vote (STV) in Ireland, North and South, reveals that the constiuency link is alive and well - and indeed is often even more vigorously asserted than in FPP because of internal party rivalries in the same constituency. Peter Hain at least knows better, while evading the point. What the deputy leader candidates really mean but don't say is that they would be crazy to give up the bias in Labour's favour, with the present system. Be honest, guys!