Fears of a Stitch-Up

Labour could potentially overhaul the voting system if Sir Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister, according to Shadow Commons Leader Lucy Powell. Her comments have raised concerns among Tories about the possibility of the party abandoning the first-past-the-post system in favor of a proportional representation system.

The Lib Dems as Key Players

If Sir Keir fails to secure a majority, the Liberal Democrats are likely to demand electoral reform as part of any post-election deal. They have long advocated for a European-style voting system, which tends to result in coalition governments.

Timing is Key

While Powell acknowledged that electoral reform is currently a "distraction," she suggested that conversations about it could happen later. For now, the focus should be on winning the election under the existing rules, she said.

Fears of Rigged Elections

Conservative chairman Greg Hands warned that changing the voting system could amount to an attempt to "rig elections" and make it extremely challenging for his party to win a majority. He criticized Labour for prioritizing short-term politics over the interests of the British people.

Flaws in the Current Model

Although changing the voting system is not currently Labour policy, Powell's remarks indicate a recognition of "flaws" in the existing model.