L4ND response to Starmer speech
When Keir Starmer ran for the Labour Leadership, he committed to including electoral reform in a Constitutional Convention that considers wider democratic renewal. Indeed, Labour’s existing policy commission last week confirmed that “a citizen-led, deliberative body, such as a Constitutional Convention, is the best forum” to address electoral reform.
The ‘Constitutional Commission’ announced today is not a citizen-led Constitutional Convention - and there is no hint that it will address electoral reform.
We believe this is a missed opportunity. If Labour is serious about putting power closer to the people, we need an electoral system in which all votes count equally. Without replacing the First Past the Post system that hands power to unrepresentative Westminster governments, the outcomes of this phase of devolution will be no more durable than the last.
With the Constitutional Commission focused firmly on devolution, it falls to Labour members to make policy on issues beyond its remit. We look forward to working with members and affiliates from across the Labour movement to secure a commitment to electoral reform at the 2021 Labour Party conference.
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
Labour for a European Future
Open Labour
Compass
Make Votes Matter
Electoral Reform Society
Unlock Democracy
