The Liberal Democrats are urging Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister, to immediately implement a proportional representation (PR) voting system, arguing that delaying the change until after the next general election could render the reform impossible. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey is set to deliver this message in a speech, cautioning that waiting too long might leave Labour "powerless to do anything."
Burnham has previously expressed support for moving away from the first-past-the-post system in favor of PR. However, he has not detailed his preferred arrangements and appeared to soften his stance during the Makerfield by-election, suggesting the change would be included in Labour's next manifesto rather than enacted immediately.
Davey is expected to tell the Institute for Government that Burnham, who is slated to take office on July 20, should "be brave" and act now if he is serious about reforming the political system. Davey plans to state, "Do it now. Don't wait until it is too late. Don't wait until after the next election – when you might be powerless to do anything about it."
Burnham has pledged to "rewire" the British state and foster a more collaborative approach to politics. Davey is expected to endorse this vision, echoing Burnham's criticisms of the current "broken political system."
"If Andy Burnham is serious about changing the way we do politics, about ending the performative hostility and instead working across Parliament to meet the challenges we face, if he is serious, then my door is open," Davey is slated to say.
A recent YouGov poll indicated that Reform holds a five-point lead over Labour, with both Labour and the Conservatives at 19 percent support.