The world feels increasingly unstable. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the fragile ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, and the return of Trump to frontline politics in the US are reshaping global affairs. In the midst of this turbulence, the UK finds itself navigating an uncertain path, caught between geopolitical crises and internal political dysfunction.
At home, power is concentrated in the hands of just one person: the Prime Minister. Under our winner-takes-all electoral system, a government can wield enormous power without majority support. A single party can govern with a landslide majority of barely a third of the vote, making sweeping decisions that shape our economy, foreign policy, and civil liberties—without true public consensus.
Some argue that now is not the time to talk about democracy, that in times of global crisis, we should focus all our energy on external threats. But in reality, this is exactly when we must talk about democracy. Because the rise of ‘competitive authoritarianism’—where elections exist but power is increasingly centralised and unaccountable—is happening before our eyes. And history shows that countries with winner-takes-all voting systems are the most vulnerable to this slide into democratic decline.
The erosion of democracy and the need for reform
In recent years, we’ve seen how fragile democracy can be. Leaders elected under First Past the Post (FPTP) or other majoritarian systems—whether in the UK, US, or elsewhere—can consolidate power in ways that sideline opposition, weaken democratic institutions, and reduce checks and balances. When winning an election means total control, politics becomes more about defeating opponents than representing people.
Proportional Representation (PR) offers a different vision. In countries that use PR, power is more evenly distributed, coalition-building is the norm, and policies are built on broad public support rather than dictated by a single party. Nations with PR systems—such as Germany, New Zealand, and Scandinavian countries—tend to have higher levels of trust in government, more stable policymaking, and stronger protections against democratic backsliding.
Putting voter choice at the heart of democracy
If we want a political system that is resilient, representative, and responsive to the challenges of our time, we need to put voter choice at the centre of our democracy. That means:
- Replacing First Past the Post with Proportional Representation, so every vote counts and no party can govern unchecked.
- Ensuring power is shared, not hoarded, with stronger parliamentary oversight and cross-party collaboration.
- Rebuilding public trust in politics, by making sure governments truly reflect the diversity of opinion across the country.
At a time when democracy is under strain across the world, the UK cannot afford to be complacent. The fight for a fairer, more accountable political system is not a distraction from global challenges—it’s the foundation for tackling them. That’s why the Government must urgently hold a National Commission on Electoral Reform to explore how we transition to a fairer and more democratic voting system.
Our democracy cannot wait.
By Emma Harrison, Make Votes Matter CEO
