Petition · Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Referendum on changing the Electoral System To Proportional Representation (PR)
Closed
42,329 signatures
What the petition asks
We are petitioning for a National Referendum to decide whether the current electoral system should be RETAINED or REPLACED by a system where the number of MPs each party gets reflects the proportion of votes received nation-wide. Commonly known as “Proportional Representation” or “PR”.
A YouGov poll in January 2024 found that only 26% of people preferred the current FPTP system with 45% preferring PR so we think there is clearly a need for a re-evaluation of our electoral system.
In the latest 2024 General Election the biggest gap on record has emerged between the share of the vote won nationally by parties and the number of seats they have.
We believe most democratic way to decide this matter would be via a National Referendum on Electoral Reform.
In the latest 2024 General Election the biggest gap on record has emerged between the share of the vote won nationally by parties and the number of seats they have.
We believe most democratic way to decide this matter would be via a National Referendum on Electoral Reform.
Government response · 6 December 2024
The Government has no plans to change the voting system for UK Parliamentary elections.
The United Kingdom has a robust electoral system which sits at the heart of our democracy.
The Government has no plans to change the voting system for UK Parliamentary elections.
The Government believes that the First Past The Post system, whilst not perfect, provides for a direct relationship between the member of the legislature and the local constituency.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Government has no plans to change the voting system for UK Parliamentary elections.
The Government believes that the First Past The Post system, whilst not perfect, provides for a direct relationship between the member of the legislature and the local constituency.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Timeline
| 6 Nov 2024 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Nov 2024 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 6 Dec 2024 | Government responded |
| 6 May 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
42,329
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Opened
6 Nov 2024
Closed
6 May 2025
Response
6 Dec 2024
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.