Even the Tories now admit that our electoral system is toxic. When will Labour have the guts to fix it? | Polly Toynbee

"Gerrymandering is a pressing issue, and while the government's voting reform plan allows 16- and 17-year-olds to vote, it may hurt Labour’s chances in the elections due to youth disfavoring the incumbent government."

"The first-past-the-post voting system has been criticized for allowing Labour to secure 64% of seats with only 34% of the votes, raising questions about the system's legitimacy."

"Polling indicates that 60% of voters, including a majority of Conservative voters, support the introduction of proportional representation, suggesting a significant shift in public sentiment towards electoral reform."

"Electoral reform is positioned as a potential solution for a fragile democracy facing unprecedented disproportionality, with the warning that a vote below 30% in the next elections could lead to an unintended winner."

The government's plan to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in the next general election may hinder Labour's chances, as young voters are unlikely to support the incumbent government. The first-past-the-post system has proven discredited and unsafe, allowing Labour to gain a disproportionate share of seats. Polling shows a considerable shift toward support for proportional representation among voters. The next election could further exacerbate disproportionality, potentially producing unexpected outcomes if voter turnout falls below 30%. Electoral reform appears vital for restoring public trust in democracy.

Read at www.theguardian.com