Rev. 25 Dec 25
[Based on text from recent correspondence]
The APPG for Fair Elections has recommended a National Commission on Electoral Reform. Without doubt change is needed. But when will it happen, and how soon can we expect its findings to be put into operation? There is a significant chance, and some would put it more strongly, that such a Commission will not lead to anything new being in place before the next General Election.
Or ever! We might even have to keep FPTP forever. As one Civil Servant told us, when faced with a question you either say Yes or you appoint a sub-committee to consider the matter. Or a Commission.
Without urgent action we shall have FPTP at the next election. And another election under FPTP, with 6 significant parties rather than the traditional 2½, will be unusually difficult for both the electorate and the parties, highly chaotic, and potentially disastrous. We can expect a low turnout of our disaffected electorate, swirling currents of tactical voting, MPs sweeping to power with minority support, possibly even down to 20% in some cases, and an overall result grossly unrepresentative of the wishes and needs of the British people. And possibly a new government strongly opposed to any change to the electoral system which put it in power.
Ranked choice preferential voting in present constituencies would solve most of the problem and is the only one feasible alternative to this potential disaster. . It would require minimal changes to the voting system, remains within the capability of a manual count, and could be introduced now by a simple vote in Parliament.