MPs to debate PR in Commons Chamber

Last month, the House of Commons voted to back Proportional Representation for the first time in history – yet Sarah Olney’s Ten Minute Rule Bill is unlikely to be allocated further parliamentary time.

It’s hugely welcome, then, that the Backbench Business Committee has agreed to make time for a full debate about PR for general elections in the House of Commons Chamber.

The debate follows an application made by officers of the APPG for Fair Elections: Alex Sobel MP, Lisa Smart MP, and Ellie Chowns MP – supported by a very substantial number of MPs from across the House.

On Tuesday 14 January, a session of the Backbench Business Committee heard evidence from the officers and, in Lisa Smart’s absence, Sarah Olney MP about why time in the Chamber should be given to this issue.

Following the hearing, the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee – Bob Blackman MP – confirmed that there will be a full debate on Proportional Representation for general elections in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 30 January.

We are now looking forward to a full and open debate about the problems the current voting system creates and the growing damage it does to trust in our political system. Our members will be making the case for change, starting with a National Commission for Electoral Reform, tasked with recommending a fair and democratic replacement for First Past the Post.

Members of the public may use the ‘write to your MP’ tool below, hosted by some of our partner organisations, to ask their MPs to attend this important debate.

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