Activists claim that supporters of the Labour party tried to stop the issue being debated and voted at their party conference
in a historic first – but Sir Keir Starmer is planning to shelve the policy if he becomes Prime Minister.
At the party conference in Liverpool, members overwhelmingly supported a motion to abandon the current “first past the post” electoral system.within its first term in office, with an “open and inclusive process” to decide the details – although there would not necessarily be a public referendum. The policy change comes after years of debate on the issue which has historically seen grassroots activists in favour of reform while the party leadership and trade unions resist any change.
If he does become Prime Minister at the next election, Sir Keir is likely to sideline the electoral reform policy, according to his allies. A source said: “Of course the Labour party is in favour of electoral reform, that’s no surprise. But it’s not going to be a priority in our first term in office. With all the issues facing the country, we’re not going to spend time changing the voting system.”
Activists who have fought for proportional representation accuse the Labour leader’s office and his supporters of trying to scupper their campaign, with procedural moves to try to stop it coming for a vote at the conference.
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