By Katie Todd, a student at Warwick University, Labour Party member and a Young Make Votes Matter Ambassador

Almost exactly a year ago, Keir Starmer secured an overwhelming majority government with just 33.7% of the vote. He did not secure a strong mandate – what he did give us was a warning sign.

This was not a fluke, it was a demonstration of the structural democratic deficit that is destroying public trust in politics – our First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system.

One year on, we are living the consequences. A recent British Social Attitudes survey report shows that a staggeringly low 12% trust governments to put country before party.  

As the public turns away from two-party politics, our elections are set to become even less representative, undermining trust even further. It is impossible to predict who will hold power in 2029 and on what percentage of the vote. Recent polling shows that, if an election was held today, Nigel Farage could win 377 seats and become the Prime Minister on just 30% of the vote. 

Control of your university fees, welfare system, defence and public infrastructure could be in the hands of a leader supported by less than a third of voters. That is, unless we do something to change it.

Why is the current system not working?

Our current system gives absolute power to undeserving winners. It silences millions of voices, and rewards division over integrity, honesty, or cooperation. Many people can sense their disenfranchisement before they even set off to vote on polling day.

It was easier to hide our democratic deficit when the UK operated under a two-party system – but that is no longer reality. FPTP is rapidly being exposed as we enter an era of multi-party politics. Things have changed, and now the system must follow.

The time is now.

The British public have, repeatedly, told parliament they are ready for change. They’ve made their voice heard through countless polls, petitions and reports. The already mentioned British Social Attitudes survey shows that 60% of the public now back changing our electoral system, including the majority of supporters of all major parties. Political leaders might claim they are simply waiting for a better time. They can claim that constitutional challenges should not be faced in times of economic or international turmoil. Or that electoral reform is not a “doorstep issue” that people care about. This could not be further from the truth.

Our voting system shapes every policy outcome – from climate action to healthcare to foreign policy. A calm moment to fix our democracy will never come. FPTP creates its own chaos, rewarding parties with minimal support. The longer we delay, the more likely we are to hand total power to another leader with no real mandate.

If we want fairer, more stable politics PR must come now, not later.

What can you do about it?

It is imperative that we show Keir Starmer the path to change before 2029 and avoid more democratic backsliding. It is time we followed in the footsteps of countries like New Zealand, Germany and even Scotland and Wales which have long used forms of PR. We are fighting for change so that, in 2029, we have a politics that truly represents the people..

People are making noise. Make Votes Matter, the national campaign for Proportional Representation, is holding the Democracy Action Weekend (4th-6th July), marking a year since the general election. It will see rallies held in London and Manchester and events organised across the country. Momentum is on the side of the people. It’s time for us to be heard.

For more information about the Democracy Action Weekend and how to get involved, visit Democracy Action Weekend – Make Votes Matter.