For decades, British politics has operated under the assumption that voters must choose between two parties: Labour or Conservative. The First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system reflects this belief, designed to funnel diverse opinions into a binary outcome. But recent polling shows something undeniable: voters have moved on and it’s time for electoral reform.

A recent chart from Election Maps UK paints a stark picture of the current political landscape. Tracking Westminster voting intention from mid-2024 to mid-2025, it reveals a seismic shift in public opinion — one that FPTP is completely unequipped to handle fairly.

The end of the two-party system?

Once the twin pillars of UK politics, Labour and the Conservatives combined now struggle to command 50% of the electorate. Labour, which began this period polling in the mid-30s, has steadily declined to below 30%. The Conservatives, battered by internal turmoil and leadership changes, have fallen even further, dipping below 20% in recent months.

In fact, at many moments during 2025, neither major party was leading the polls. That’s a political earthquake in a country supposedly built on two-party rule.

The rise of ‘third parties’

While the traditional parties have faltered, others have surged. Most notably, Reform UK — once dismissed as a fringe movement — has seen a dramatic rise in support. Peaking at over 30%, Reform briefly overtook both Labour and the Conservatives in national polling. Even after dipping slightly, it remains a top-tier political force.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and SNP have held steady throughout the year, polling consistently in the 8–15% range. Under a fair system, this would result in meaningful representation. Under FPTP? It usually means single digits in Parliament — or worse, no seats at all.

The crisis of representation

FPTP was designed for a two-party system. But that world is gone.

If there were an election today, no single party would command anywhere near majority support — yet under FPTP, one could still walk away with a “majority” government. That’s not democratic strength; it’s structural distortion.

Every election under FPTP sees millions of votes wasted, cast for losing candidates or heaped onto majorities in so-called “safe seats” where the outcome is all but guaranteed.

Worse still, tactical voting has become the norm, not the exception. People no longer vote for who they believe in — they vote against who they fear most.

This isn’t democracy. It’s damage control.

A Proportional Future?

The answer is clear: Britain needs a voting system that reflects how people actually vote today, not how they voted in the 1950s. Systems like Mixed-Member Proportional (used in Germany and New Zealand) or Single Transferable Vote (used in Scotland and Northern Ireland) offer modern solutions:

  • Every vote counts equally and contributes to the overall result
  • Parliaments reflect the full spectrum of public opinion
  • No more “safe seats” or tactical voting
  • More collaboration, less tribalism

These are not radical ideas. They’re already working elsewhere and in parts of the UK.

This chart doesn’t just show political polling. It shows a population who have evolved, while their political system has stayed stuck in the past. The UK is no longer a two-party country and our voting system must reflect that.

If we want a Parliament that represents us all — not just the winners of a broken game — then the time for electoral reform is now. If you agree, sign up to take action during our Democracy Action Weekend, or donate to support the campaign.

Written by Emma Harrison, CEO.