Labor conference members to challenge Keir Starmer by voting on electoral reform

A vote could take place as soon as Monday after Andy Burnham said he was "disappointed" that Keir Starmer ruled out reforming the voting system

MEPs have chosen the subject to be debated tomorrow (

Image: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Labour members set to challenge Keir Starmer to vote on electoral reform at Labor Party conference.

Members have decided on the subject of debate tomorrow - although the party leader seems to rule out any change.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged Sir Keir to change his mind, saying he is "disappointed".

But it is understood that Sir Keir is 'extremely relaxed' about passing the motion - as there is no requirement for him to make it Labor policy.

An ally of the leader says those at the top of the party aren't interested or focused on changing the voting system - which won't happen until the 2024 election, even if Labor changes its policy now.

They added, "I'll eat my hat if it comes close to our manifesto."

This comes a year after unions blocked a labor conference motion to change Britain's electoral system to proportional representation.

Local parties were 80% in favor of changing the first-past-the-post voting system in 2021, but affiliated unions voted 95% against.

Unison has since shifted its stance to support electoral reform. Activists now believe they have a "fighting chance" for it to pass.

Discussions will begin tonight on narrowing the topic down to a well-worded motion: a process called "compositing".

The wording may be watered down to avoid a direct vote on proportional representation.

This comes after Keir Starmer said electoral system reform was "not a priority for me" (

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This comes after Keir Starmer said reform...