The article titled “Labour MPs will urge Burnham to support electoral reform within the first 100 days,” published on August 25, mentions that the last instance of the UK rejecting electoral reform occurred in 2011, following a referendum regarding the potential switch to an alternative vote system. It is important to clarify that this referendum did not propose a proportional electoral system. Although the alternative vote may be effective for electing an individual representative, it falls short when applied to government elections.

This referendum largely served as a popularity contest for Nick Clegg, and its rejection was largely due to a lack of understanding among voters regarding the specifics of what was being proposed. A more trustworthy reflection of public sentiment would arise from the establishment of a national commission that gathers evidence from citizens nationwide, coupled with a general election that includes a commitment to electoral reform in its manifesto. Such an approach would yield a more accurate representation of the population’s opinions than any referendum could provide.

Sandy Martin, the Chair of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, emphasizes this point. Furthermore, the amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, which has been reported on, is not the only matter requiring the government’s attention. Legally, the government is obligated to respond to a parliamentary petition that I initiated, which advocates for the formation of a national commission aligned with the proposal from the all-party parliamentary group.

This petition calls for an independent and time-limited review led by experts to foster consensus on reforming the parliamentary electoral system. To date, over 25,000 individuals have signed the petition, exceeding the threshold needed to prompt a government response. Anticipation for this response is high.

Joan Ruddock, a former Labour MP and minister, weighs in on the significance of this petition. If you have thoughts on any topics covered in the Guardian today, please consider emailing your letter, as submissions may be selected for publication in the letters section.