Different proportional representation (PR) systems could create a UK electoral landscape where the parliament more accurately reflects the national vote, according to an article published on 22 July. The analysis suggests that various PR systems perform well in ensuring parties win a fair proportion of seats and voters have a fair say in governance, in contrast to the first past the post system.
The numerical details of these proposed systems are flexible. For instance, using an additional member system does not necessarily mean increasing the number of MPs to over 1,000. Similarly, a single transferable vote system does not require constituencies larger than four to seven MPs, and party list districts do not have to be as large as English regions or the whole of Scotland.
The design of a new Westminster election system is considered important, requiring both expert input and public legitimacy. Andy Burnham has reportedly proposed establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform, a suggestion previously made by the all-party parliamentary group for fair elections.