The Constitution Unit

Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Office: Constitution Unit Conference 2025 - The electoral system in a multiparty era

Episode Summary

The growth of multiparty politics raises questions about whether the First Past the Post electoral system can still be justified. What are the arguments for and against reform? What alternative systems might be considered? And, with ministers saying they will maintain the status quo, is there any way reform could actually come about?

Episode Notes

This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?

The electoral system in a multiparty era

The growth of multiparty politics raises questions about whether the First Past the Post electoral system can still be justified. What are the arguments for and against reform? What alternative systems might be considered? And, with ministers saying they will maintain the status quo, is there any way reform could actually come about?

Speakers:

• Peter Lamb MP – Labour MP for Crawley
• Frances Foley – Deputy Director of Compass
• Professor Robert Ford – Professor of Political Science at the University of Manchester

Chair: Professor Alan Renwick - Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit