A LOCAL MP has backed electoral reform calls for the the UK Government to address ‘the flaws’ in Britain’s First Past the Post voting system.

During a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday (January 30), North Herefordshire MP Green MP Ellie Chowns, whose constituency boundary is just half a mile north of Ross, stated: "First Past the Post is broken. Its chief contribution to our politics is to drive instability, apathy, and disengagement.

“The public have made their view clear; the two-party system of old is gone, yet our voting system is keeping it on life support against their will."

She continued: "We need our political institutions to bolster trust in politics, not contribute to undermining it. It's time for a National Commission on Electoral Reform to identify and implement a voting system that ensures all votes are equal and every voice is heard."

The debate follows a growing cross-party movement advocating for a National Commission to explore alternatives to the current system.

Supporters argue that the 2024 general election was the most distorted in British history, with Labour securing a majority despite only gaining one-third of the vote.

The impact of First Past the Post is particularly pronounced in rural constituencies like Brampton Abbotts, where smaller parties struggle to secure representation despite substantial local support.

Phil Chapman, a local resident from Brampton Abbotts and supporter of the campaign group Make Votes Matter, voiced his frustration: “To me, democracy means that every vote counts. Under First Past the Post, two-thirds of votes have no impact on the result. We need a system that truly reflects the will of the people.”

Recent polls indicate a significant shift in public opinion, with 48 per cent now supporting a proportional voting system, compared to just 24 per cent who back First Past the Post.

Local voices are uniting behind the call for reform, ensuring that every voice is heard in Parliament.