Hold a referendum to change from first past the post to preferential voting

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

the current system can allow parties to win large majorities without receiving majority public support, leaving voters feeling unrepresented. Preferential voting would reduce tactical voting and give people more freedom to support smaller parties and independents without “wasting” their vote.

Australia works on a preferential voting system and it is widely regarded as successful. The system promotes political moderation and stability, as candidates are encouraged to appeal to a wider range of voters in order to gain second and third preferences. Preferential voting systems are associated with higher voter satisfaction because they provide voters with greater choice and influence over election outcomes.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

We already have a petition on this subject open - you may wish to sign it:.

Hold a referendum: Replace FPTP with Proportional Representation through STV

Also, Australia has two different preferential voting systems in current use and you have not specified which you consider to be the one that the UK might adopt.

Timeline

8 May 2026	Petition opened for signatures
18 Jun 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 18 Jun 2026

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