Change the general election voting system to one of proportional representation

Regardless of our views on Brexit, be we Remainers or Leavers, we the people note with dismay that the recent parliamentary deadlock has served only to magnify the ongoing democratic deficit caused by the will of parliament not being representative of the will of the people.

The Government’s view is that the First Past the Post system is well-established here. In each constituency, candidates are elected to represent the views of their constituents and in each case a candidate for whom more people voted than for any of the alternatives is elected. The current system is well-understood by the electorate; it provides a clear and well-understood link between constituents and their representative in Parliament. As such, the First Past the Post system is a fundamental part of creating a democracy that works for everyone.

In addition, it is worth noting that the Government’s manifesto committed, to keep the First Past the Post system for elections to the House of Commons, in line with the result of the Parliamentary Voting System referendum in 2011, in which the overwhelming majority voted to retain the current system. The Government does not, therefore, have plans to change the voting system at the present time.

Cabinet Office.