The Way Back to Europe

1. ELECTORAL REFORM

The First Past the Post System of elections used for the House of Commons is profoundly undemocratic. In December 2019 a huge 80-seat majority was handed to one party on 43% of votes cast, representing 29% of the electorate. A majority in the House of Commons = 100% of the power in the land.

Reforming the voting system to make it more representative of the population will result in government for all, not just for one side of the political argument.

2. CAMPAIGN FOR ANOTHER SAY

When we have a democratic House of Commons, we demand another say on EU membership, now that we know very well what the facts are about the benefits of membership.

A. A UNITED OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN FOR ELECTORAL REFORM

Disunity among the opposition political parties result in the Conservative party forming governments for most of the time – a near-permanent right-of-centre (and currently far right) government representing a minority of the country.

Political tribalism is an unappetising feature of political life, but FOR ONCE the opposition parties have to put the country before ideology, and join together on a common platform for electoral reform. They can return to squabbling within and among themselves afterwards: but our country needs this reform desperately, and it will be a test of the good faith of opposition politicians to put aside differences for once, and do something that will really make a difference.

B. KEEP THE PRO-EU MOVEMENT ALIVE AND STRONG

Never give up arguing for our place in the EU, for regaining our lost star, for being part of the greatest project for peace and cooperation, progress and security, high common values and standards. Never give up! And when we have electoral reform, a campaign for another say must be front and centre of our endeavours.