See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 14:07 BST, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 14:09 BST, 8 July 2026
Labour MPs are piling pressure on Andy Burnham to overhaul Britain's voting system for Westminster elections when he becomes prime minister.Some 88 Labour MPs - more than a fifth of the party's presence in the House of Commons - have so far backed a bid to set up a body to investigate electoral reform.They are among a total of 166 cross-party MPs to have signed an amendment to a Bill due to be debated in the Commons next week.The proposed change to the Government's Representation of the People Bill would establish a 'National Commission on Electoral Reform' to consider scrapping the current first-past-the-post voting system for electing MPs.The significant Labour support for the amendment will test Mr Burnham's appetite to deliver on his previous backing for electoral reform.As recently as last week, the PM-in-waiting - who is almost certain to replace Keir Starmer in Downing Street on 20 July - described himself as 'a strong supporter of electoral reform'.Posting on Reddit, as he selectively answered questions during an 'Ask Me Anything' session on the website, Mr Burnham said he wanted Labour to make a commitment to electoral reform in the party's next manifesto.Changing the current first-past-the-post system for general elections to proportional representation could allow smaller parties such as the Greens to form part of a Westminster government. Labour MPs are piling pressure on Andy Burnham to overhaul Britain's voting system for Westminster elections when he becomes prime ministerLabour MPs claimed establishing a commission to investigate options for electoral reform would be an 'open goal' for Mr Burnham, which he could launch in his first 100 days as PM.Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, who tabled the amendment, said: 'My amendment to establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform is now the most-supported amendment this Parliament with 166 signatories from eight parties, half of whom are Labour.'MPs still have five days left to sign and its clear with the change of Government coming that the Commission is not just a clear signal to break the status quo but hugely popular with both MPs and the public.'Supporters of the proposal say it has surpassed the 164 signatures, including 126 Labour backers, that Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier gained last year for a reasoned amendment to oppose cuts to disability benefits.Mr Sobel's amendment has gained support from across Labour's different factions.Milton Keynes North MP Chris Curtis, who previously chaired the Labour Growth Group, said: 'Andy has consistently made the case for PR, starting with a national commission.'I think he was half expecting to have a job on his hands persuading MPs to come with him on that – but it's the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) that's now clamouring for the Government to get a grip on this issue.'You don't have to be Harry Kane to see what an open goal this is for him.'He should launch a commission in his first 100 days, so he can focus on his other priorities and bringing growth and hope to Britain.'Labour's party conference voted to support moving towards a proportional representation voting system in 2022.But the party's 2024 manifesto instead focused its electoral reforms on extending voting to 16 and 17-year-olds, the premise of the Bill up for debate next Tuesday.Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham, said the PLP had 'caught up and is leading the charge' for voting reform.He added: 'All parts of the Labour Party are onboard with electoral reform. We need a national commission to build consensus on the best system for modern Britain.'
