Laura Sharman William Eichler 03 July 2019

Alliance calls for voting reforms to fix 'failing' system

Political parties and civil society groups have signed the Good Systems Agreement calling for reforms to the UK's voting system.

The agreement, prepared by Making Votes Matter, calls for the first-past-the-post system to be replaced with proportional representation.

The Green Party, Lib Dems, the Brexit Party, Plaid Cymru, SNP and the Women's Equality Party are calling for a citizens' assembly to be set up to develop the new system.

Cllr Jonathan Bartley co-leader of the Green Party? said: 'It is very tempting to blame individuals for the disastrous state of Britain today, the Brexit chaos, the poverty and inequality, the insecurity and mental health crisis, the dreadful state of our natural world and the climate chaos. But it is clear that the failure is systemic.'

Speaking at the LGA annual conference, Cllr Bartley said there needs to be a 'radical' shift of power to tackle the challenges facing Britain today.

'Local government is not democratic because it isn't allowed to be by central Government,' he said.

He joined the call for a 'fairer' voting system at a local level, backed up by a written constitution.

He also said democracy used to be called Localism until Eric Pickles 'derided the word into oblivion'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker - Adoption Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£36124.0000 - £51834.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Adoption Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time - 37 hours per week£36,124 to £51,834 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism

Essex County Council
£48205.0000 - £57988.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Senior Social Worker - Learning Disability & AutismPermanent, Full Time£48,205 to £57,988 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Finance Officer - Income Collection

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £28621.0000 per annum
Finance Officer - Income CollectionFixed Term, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Democratic Services Officer

Essex County Council
£30295.0000 - £35641.0000 per annum
Democratic Services OfficerSecondment, Full Time£30,295 to £35,641 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Democratic Services Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£47,730 - £57,837
Democratic Services Officer
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner